Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-08-11

through the very passages you have tra-
vcrscd tonight, they trembling, ,and bless
ing me at every step.s
| They were conducted here. had
suggested the plan, and the Superior
consented to it. lie would not be pres
cnt but his dumb nod was enough. Twas
the conductor of their (intcnded) escape !;
they believed they were departing with
the connivance of the Superior. ! led
them through those very passages that
you and ! have trud. had map of
this subterrancous region, but my blood
ran cold as travcrsed it; and il was not
at all inclined to resume its usual tenn
perament, as | felt what was to be the
destination of my attendants. Once
turned the lamp, OH prctence oftrimming
tito catch aglimpsc oithe devoted wretch
cs-they were embracing each other
the light Of JOY tremblcd in their eyes,
They were whispering to each other hopes
of liberation and happiness, and blend
ing my name in the interval they could
spare from their prayers for each other
That sight extinguished the last remains
Of compunction with which my horrible
task had inspired me. They dared to be
happy in the sight of one who must be
forever miscrablc--cou!d there be a great
er insult resolved to punish it on the
spot. This very apartment was near-l
knew it, and the map of my wanderings
no longer trembled in my hand. urg-
ed them to enter this recess (the door
was then entire while / went to examine
the passage. They entered it, thanking
me for my precaution-they knew not
they were never to quit it alive. But
what were their lives for the agony their
happiness cost me?-I'he moment they
were inclosed, and clasping each other,
a sight that made me grind my teeth, l
closed and locked the door. This move
ment gave them no immediate une asiness
they thought it friendly precaution.
The moment they were secured, has
tened to the Superior, who was OH fire at
the insult offered to the sanctity of the
convent, and still more to the purity Of
his penetration, on which the worthy Su-
perior piqued himself as much as if it had
ever been possible for him to acquire the
smallest share of it. He descended with
me TO the passage-the monks followed
with eyes on fire. In the agitation of
their rage, it was with difficulty they
could discover the door after had re-
peatedly pointed it out to them. The
Superior, with his own hands, drove sew
eral nails, which the monks eagerly sup
piled, into the door, that effectually join
ed it to the staple, nerer TO be disjoined J;
and every blow he gave, he doubtless felt
as if it was reminiscence to the accus-
ing angel, to strike out sin from the cat
alogue of his accusations The work
was soon done-the work never to be
undone. AT the first sound of steps in
the passage and blows on the door, the
victims uttered shrek ofterror. They
imagined they were detected, and that
an incensed party of monks were break
ing open the door. These terrors were
soon exchanged for others-and worse
as they heard the door nailed up, and
listened to our departing steps. They
uttered another shriek-but o! how
different was the accent of its despair
they knew their doom.
1t was my penance (no-my delight
to watch the door, under the pretence of
mecluding the possibility of their escape,
(of which they knew there was no posi-
bility;) but, in reality, not only to inilict
on me the indignity of being the convent
jailor, but of teaching me that callosity
of heart, and induration of nerve, and
stubbornness Of eye, and apathy of ear,
that was best suited to my Office. But
they might have saved themselves the
trouble-I had them all before | entered
the convent. Had | been the Superior
of the community, | should have under
taken the office of watching the door,
You call this cruelty call it curiosity
that curiosity that brings thousands to
witness a tragedy, and makes the most
delicate female feast OH groans and ag-I
onies. l had an advantage over them
the groan, the agony ieasted on, were
real. took my station at he door-that
door which, like that of Dantc's hail
might have borne the inscription, Here's.
no hope, with a face of mock peni-.
tencc, and genuine, cordial delectaion,
] could hear every word that transpired
For the first hours they tried to comfort
each other-they suggested to each 9TH
,cr hopes of liberation-and as my shad-
ow, crossing the Threshold, darkened
the light, they said, "That is hc"-thcn,
when this occurred repeatedly, without
any effect, they said, "No-no, it is not
he"-and swallowed down the sick sob
of despair, to hide it from each other.
Towards night monk came to take
my place, and to offer me food. ! would
not have quilted my place for worlds; but
| talked to the monk in his own language,
and told him would make merit with