The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-10-30

certainly, Il ask your pardon, l did not
mean to extor that groan from you,) but
here were hearts TO be cut-and to the
core--every day, and all day long; SO /
could never want employment.
l do not quite like to go through the de-
tails by which this wretched pair were de-
luded into the hope Of effecting their es-
cape from the convent. 1t was enough
that was the principal agentA-that fhe
Superior connived at it--that led them
through the very passages YOU have trav-
efsed tonight, they trembling, and bless
ing me at every step.
They were conducted here. had sug-
gested the plan, and the Superior consent
his dumb nod was enough Twas the con
ductor of their (inlended) escape; they
believed they were departing with the con
niyance of the Superior. led them
through those very passages that YOU nnd
have trod. had d map o. this sa.ie,-
raneous region, but my blood ran cold as
traversed it; and il was not at all incln-
ed to resume its usual temperaiiier'. Z {
felt what was to be the destination ctt,sf
attendants. Once turned the lamp, on
pretence oftrimming it, to caieh glimpse
Of the devoted wretches-they were en-
bracng each other-the light of Joy, trem-
bled in their eyes. They were whisper
ing to each other hopes Of liberation and
happiness, and blending my name in the
interval they could spare from their pray
ers for each other That sight .extin-
guished 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 miserable
could there be greater insultiy rcsolv
ed to punish it on the spot. This very
apartment was near-I knew it, and the
map of my wanderings no longer trembled
in my hand. ! urged them TO enter this
recess Qhe door was then entire) while l
went to examine the passage. They en-
tered 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 mes-The mo-
ment they were incloscd, and clasping
each other, "a sight that made me grind
my teeth,) closed and locked the door.
This movement gave them no imme date
uneasiness-they thought IT friendly pre-
caution. The moment they were secur-
ed, ] hastened to the Superior, who was
on fire at the insult offered to the sanctity
Of the convent, and still more to the purity
of his penetration, on which the worthy
Superior 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 folIew
ed with eyes on fire. In thr agitation Of
their rage, it vas with difficulty they
could discover the door after had repeat
edly pointed it out to them. The Supe-
rior, with his own hands, drove several
nails, which the monks eagerly supplied,
into the door, that effectuallv joined il to
the staple, merer 10 be disjoined; and every
blow he gave, he doubtless felt as ifit was
a reminiscence to the accusing angel to
strike out a sin from the catalogue of bis
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 de-.
tected, and that an inccnsed party Of
IHolhS. Netc ptcuhlbS opSH tHc uoOT.--
These terrors were soon exchanged for
others-and worse--as they heard the
door nailed up, and listened to our depart
ing 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 delighD
to watch the door, under the pretence Of
precludng the possibility oftheir escape,
(ofwhich they knew there was no possi-
biIity;) but, In reality, not only to infict
on me the indignty Of being the convent
j,ilor, but of teaching me that callosity Of
heart, and induration Of nerve, and stub
bornness Of eye, and apathy of ear, that
was best suited to MY Office. But they
might have saved themselves the trouble
Il had them all before Icntered the con-
vent. Had been the Superior Of the
community, should have undertaken the
Office of watching the door. You call
this cruelty call it curios.iy-that cu-
iiosily thai brings thousands to witness a
Tragedy, nrd.iiskes .hc most delicate fe-
male least 90 grocas and agcnirs. had