Delaware patriot & American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1828, 1828-03-25

quart, turneu Tue conversation one evening
on wonderful occurrences and after each had re-
lated his story, said, | will now recount to you
some events in my own life, which you will, think,
deem more extraordinary than any you have ever
heard
Il am my fathers only child and have therefore
been favorte from my birth was brought up
in the belief that could command whatever. this
world can afford and was taught that unbounded
liberaty vas the first and most ptncey of virtues
| early resolved to surpass ever, former example
OF senerosity.-i thought my power Of doing good
and making every body happy. was as unlimited,
as nv wish to do so and could not conceive the
existence Of misery beyond my power to relieve.
When was eighteen, | was betrothed to my
cousin. young prince, who excclled all others i'll
beauty of person and nobleress of mind; and
fanced myself at the summit of happiness. 1t
CHANGED, however, that on the morning of my nup-
tials went to walk in garden near the palaces
where had been accustomed to spend sumo hours
daily from my childhood The old gardener, with
whose chcerfulness had often been amused, met
me- Seeing him look very miserable, asked him
what was the matter? He evatcd direct an
swer but insisted upon his disclosing the cause
of his grief. declaring at the same time my deter"
ninaton to remove it,
You cannot relieve me- said the old man with
a deep sigh it is out of your power. my beloved
princess, to heal the wound Of which am dying
'My pride was reused, and | exclaimed, 1
swear-'
DO not swear said the gardener, seizing my
hand
Il do swear,' repeated, (irritated by the op.
position.) Il will stop at nothing to make you
happy; and further swear that will not leave
this spot until you reveal the grief which preys
upon YOU
The old man seeing my resolution, spake with
tremuIous emotion, as follows Princess, you
know not what you have done. Behold man who
has dared for these two years to look upon you with
an eye of admiration his love has at length reach
ed such pitch, that without you he must be
wretched forever; and unless you consent to meet
him iii the garden to night. and become his bride
instead OF that OF the prince he must die
Shocked by this unforeseen declaration, and
trembling at the thought of my oath, tried to rea~
son with the old gardener, and offered him all the
wealth / possessed / told you,' he replied.
beautiful princess, that you could not make me
happy. endeavored to prevent you, rash VOW;
and nothing but that should draw from me the
secret of my heart. Death, know is my fate for
cannot live and see you the wife of another.
T Leave me to die. Go to your husband, 60 to the
enjoyment OF your pomp and riches but never
again pretend 10 the exercise of power which de-
ponds upon thousand circumstances that no hue
man being can regulate or contro.'
This speech conveyed bitter reproach.
would have sacrificed my life hundred times,
J 3
but had made vow IN the face of Heaven, and
to break it seemed sacriIege. Besides, earnest
ly wished to die undcceived in my favorite notion,
that l could make all who came near me happy.
Under the struggle of these different feelings
told the gardener his desire should be granted, and
that would be in the garden an hour before mid
night. After this assurance went away, resolved
III my own mind not to outlive the disgrace to
which doomed myself.
Il passed the day in the greatest melancholy
A little before midnight contrived to dismiss my
attendants, and arrayed in my bridal apparel, which
f was covered with the richest jewels, went to-
wards the garden. had not proceeded many
yards, when l was met by thief, who seizng me,
said, Let me strip you, madam, of these unneces-
sary ornaments; if you make the least nose in
slant death awaits you In my state Of mind such
threats frightened me little wished to die, but
| wished before l died, to fulfil my VOW. told
my story to the thief, beseechng him to let pass,
and pedging my word to return, that he might not
be disappointed of his booty. After some hesita-
ton he allowed me to proceed.
Il had not gone many steps, when encounters
ed furious lion, which had broken loose from my
fathers mencgerie. Knowing the merciful nature
of this animal towards the weak and defcnceess
| dropped upon my knees, repeated my story. and
assured him, it he would let me fulfil my vow.
would come back to him, as ready TO be destroyed
as he could be to make me his prey The lion
stepped ASIDE ana went lnto tue Sardeh.
Il found the old gardener all impatence for my
arrival. He flew to meet me, exclaiming was
ali angel. told him was resigned to my engage
ment, but had not long to live. Ise started and
, asked what | meant. gave him an account of
. my meeting with the thief and the lion.' Wretch
that am p cried the gardener; show much mise
nv have caused but bad as am, am not worse
f than the thief or beast Of prey which should
, be did not absolve you from your vow, and as
sure you the only way in which you can now make
me happy; is by forgivng my wicked presump"