Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-01-02

The Hermit, fell upon his knees, and clasp
ing to his bosom the holy c~rucifx, responded.
81 know not my boy, why ! thus feel for thee;
but in my better days, when life was young.
and hope was new, I had a son. whose infsa
tile features, bore strong resemblance TO thine,
and were l not assured that he fell at The
hands ofthe rapacious assassin, ] should think
that l beheld in the lincaments Of thy face.
some marks Of my beloved offspring! But no.
it cannot be, for the r%ufians tore my child
from me-, dishonoured my wife, and cut of
every hope | had Of future happiness. No!
no! it cannot be, that thou art Of my flesh,
and blood, for well l know. that my child fell
at the hands Of the assassin-he lives not, but
with his dlshonoured mother, sleeps 10 tho
pluintive music Of the graves"
The tone, the manner, and the action Of the
Hermit, deeply interested Fitzroy in his be-
half, and when the old man had suppressed
his emotions, Fi:zroy beg ed that he would
give him some account Of his history, "for."
said he, my good father, thy story, must be
far more interesting than mine, and l beg that
l may be permitted to know the source of thy
Borrowings, and the motives which have led
thee to this secluded course Of life, that I may
mingle with thee my condolences and sympa-
thies." Fitz Allen replied, ~ thank thee boy.
but to no mortal, hath my history been dis
closed; but TO thee, who hast so often assuag-
ee my sufferings, and mingled thy tears with
NINA - ab.l ko ,aJI ..- -
thou shalt hear the recital of my wrongs, and
the history of my fortunes.
/ AM A NATIVE Of one ofthe interior towns OF
Austria, and early in life, was sent 10 a distin-
guished literary institution, to accomplish an
education, than somewhat advanced; and,
whilst there, difficulties happening to break
out between Spain and my country, withs band
of my youthful companions. l placed myself
beneath the standard Of my native LAM.
and resolved TO perish, rather than see our Dig
nifty i~nsulted, or our arms dishonored. Blu
a little time lad elapsed, before I had the
good fortune to distinguish myself in the fight,
and having secured the confidence and good
wishes Of our general, l was recommended to
the notice and protection Of his Majesty the
King, who was graciously pleased to promote
me to a Colonelcy. My young hopes were
now gratifed, to their utmost extent, and be-
lieving my fortune to be made, and my fame
secured, l INDUCED the dictates of my heart,
and was Wooded to one, whose beauty and
whose virtues, commanded the admiration Of
all who beheld her, and the recollection Of
which, charm me, oven amid the silence and
gloom Of this solitary hermitage.
'She was not less devoted to the cause Of our
country, than l was, and to encourage mo on
cheerfully followed me from camp to camp,
and asked no other privilege than that Of shar-
ing with mt ,the common dangers and ~fatigucs~
incident to the life Of a soldier. Although y
urged her not 10 thus follow me, but to betake
herself to tho fashionable and happy scenos
of the city, still she refused, and insisted; ON
becoming the soldiers companion.
"In our regiment, there was an officer Of
rank and distinction, superior to me in years.
and of a noble family, who, from the moment
that l received my commission, had meditated
my destruction, aud had taken UNIV carried pains
to provoke me to a private encounter, but
without success. For whilst ! looked upon him
with contempt, l loved my wife too dearly to
expose myself in any way which was not con-
nected with my country, and therefore silently
suffered the insults of my foo, to pass unno-
ticcd.
Defeated in all his projects 10 draw
me to single combat, he grew wild with
indignation, and as a last resort to provoke
me, he offered an insult to my wife, which
could not brook, and my heart thirs.ed fos
vengeance. l delayed not a moment in CALI
ing him TO an account for his conduct, but aa
he refused to make any explanation, or offer
any apology, I challenged him to mortal COM
bat. We met a! the appointed time, but un-
willing TO take the life Of a fellow mortal, I
refused TO FIRE. but suffered my antagonist tn
take such advantages Of my exposed condition.
as he deemed proper. Three ines he fred at
mo, without effect, when, finding that no was
determined TO take my life if il were possible,
at the fourth ORDER discharged my pistol, and
lodging its contents in his bosom, he fell, and
in a fow moments, expired. But while he lived,
and brcathed out the last remnant Of life, he
employed himself in uttering the most horrid
curses that ever broke from the lips Of mortal.
and with his last gasp ~imp'orcd the Almighty
10 visit me with his vengeance. II could die
said the dying madman. with pleasure, III
could scc thee thus PROSTATE in tina Sust a. 7