Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-11-28
THE TALE OF THE GREEN TAPER
BY FRANCIS BLANco WHITE.

Among the unfortunate Morlscoes who were
forced to quit Spain in 1910, there was very
rich farmer. As the object of the government
was to hurry the Moriscoes out Of the country
without allowing them time to remove their prop
erty, many buried their money and jewels, in
hopes of returning from Africa at future period.
MAley Hassem, according to our popular tradi-
ton, had contrived vault under the close porch
of his house. DISTRESSING his Christian negh-
bours, he had there accumulated great Quantities
of gold and pearls, which. upon his quitting the
country, were laid under spell by another NJ ;.
risco, deeply versed in the secret arts. The zeal.
ousy of the S,aniards, and the severe penalties
enacted against such of the exes as should re-
turn, precuded Mlley Hassem from all oppor
tuni,ies of recovering his treasure. He died in
trusting the secret to only daughter who hav-
ing grown up at Seville, was perfectly acqaaint-
cd with the spot under the charm Fa!I,na mar
ried, and was LETT a widow, with dauph-
ter, whom she taught Spanish, hoping to make
her pass for a native of The Peninsula Urged
by the approach of poverty which sharpened he
desire to make use of the secret intrusted to her,
Fa,ima, and her daughter Zulema, embarked in
the vessel of IA C,rsair, ard were landed secretly
in cove near Huelva. Dressed in the costume
of the peasantrv, and having assumed Christian
ns mes. borh mother and daughter made their way
60 Seville on foot or by an occasional convey
ance which offered on the road. To avoid suspi-
cion, hey gave out that they were returning
frpm the performance OF vow to a celebrat ted
in, age of the Virgin near Moguer l will not
tire YOU with details as to the means by which
FAima obtained place for herself and daugh-
ter in the family then occupying her paternal
house. Her constant endeavOurs TO please her
master and mistress succeeded to the utmost of
her wishes: the beauty and innocence OF Zulei-
ma, then only fourteen, needed no studied efforts
to obtain the affection of the whole family.
When Fatima thought that the time was come,
she prepared her daughter for the important and
awful task of recovering the concealed treasure
of which she had constantly talked to her since
the child could understand her meaning The
winter came on the family moved to their first
floor as usual; and Fatima asked to be allowed
one Of the ground floor rooms for herself and Nv
ieima. Apout the middle of December, when
the perindical rains threaten to make the Quad
alqulvir overflow us banks, and scarcely soul
stirred ont after sunset, Fatima, provided with a
rope and basket, anxiously awaited the hour oi
midnight, to commence her incarnation. HeI
daughter stood trembling by her side in the porch
to which they had CROPPED their way in the dark
The large bell of the cathedral clock, whose
sound had a most startling effect in the dead ST.
lence OF the night, tolled the hour. and the me-.
ancholy peal of suppication followed for auou
two minutes All now was still except the vino
and rain. Fatlma, unlocking with some difficult
ty the cold hands of her daughter out of hers
struck with a flint and lighted green taper moi
more than an inch long, which she carefully she
tered from the wind in pocket lantern. The
light had scarcely glimmered on the ground
when the pavement yawned close by the feet OF
the two females. Snow Zuleima, nv child. the
only care of my lfe!" said Fati,na, "were Won
strong enough to draw me out Of the vault where
our treasure lies, would not entreat you to hast.
en- down by these small perpendicular steps
which you here see. Fear not, my love! there
u nothing below but the gold and jewels deposit
e1by my father" "Nothsr" answered Me ,rem.