Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-07-25
BENEFAcToRs.-By JOHN HowAnD PAYNE.


The House of Lopez was only cottage; Dut
IL was situated beneath the beautiful sky OF An
dalusia, in the little bishOpric of Jaen, at the
flowery foot of Sierra Morena. His daughter,
Inesilla. his only chid-his gentle, his lovely, MS
darling Inesilla-dwelt with him there. he re-
GREETED riches only on one account. HIS loss
OF them must interrupt the education OF MS.
daughter.
"Inesa," said he to her, ~ have often rem
dered services; but no one comes to render ser
vices to me. There is no such thing III the
world as generosity"
"The numbers of the ungrateful would seem
to prove the contrary" replied inesllla. In
gratitude would be less common, II we knew
how to appropriate our oeneiacuohsi oul tne
rich and powerful, hemmed in as as they are by
mercenaries, parasites, and adventures, are
intercepted by this mob of slaves, from convey
ing to virtuous indulgence the noble kindness,
which may relieve without degrading. we
should knoW the characters Of those arhom ace
obhge, before pe do them services. we listen 10
our hearts, and are deceived. You have your
self done this, and more than once"
"Iownit / own it. was in the wrong.
The conversation was interrupted by clap
of thunder. A rapid storm darkened the horl-
Zon Lopez thought no more of the migrate
full. All resolutions of future caution vanished.
He flew to fling open the large gate of his cot
tage yard, that the way fairer might be shelter
ed beneath his cartshed from the tempest whose
roar was now redoubled by the mountain
echoes.
A brilliant carriage, drawn by six mules at
once drove in Don Fernando descended from
it; had his servants and his mules placed under
the shed; and presented himself at the door OF
the cottage Of Lopez. Inesa opened and Don
Fernando paused with wonder, to meet beneath
the lowly thatch form so sylphlike and face
L. viz pf n
ed to create no less surprise; his astonlshment,
the earnestness of his questions the interest he
seemed to take in every thing relating to the old
man, stimulated Lopez to tell the story OF his
misfortunes, ending with the moral which his
daughter had deduced from them.
Fernando heard him with intense attention.
"By the sword of the cid!" cried he, that
daughter of thine is philosopher! We should
know the character of those whom we oollge,
before we do them service; and bless the storm, "
added he, tears starting to his eyes, which has
acquainted me with thee and thine; but we
should also bear in mind another truth OF which
thy daughters philosophy seems not to be aware.
| We should also know the character of those by
whom we are obliged before we LET them DO us
| services"
The words of Don Fernando sank deep into
the heart of Lopez. He felt he had fonnd one
with whom he wished he could exchange stua-
| ton, merely that he could render so worthy a
| man a service
Don Fernando seemed to be animated with a
similar yearning towards poor Lopez
"But Lopez" added he, sit is not from words
that characters are to be learned We must
look to actions From these would teach you
mine. Lopez | am rich and am not heartless.
You have bestowed on me the only kindness in
your power. Do not be offended. must not
be numbered among the ungrateful. Your for
tune must be restored. Deign, till we can bring
that about, to let me be your banker"
"There is nothing have to wish for, on my
own account" said Lopez; but my dear girl
there, tho still in the bloom of early youth, has,
for long while, been interrupted in her educa-
ton. Poor darling, she has no associates OF her
own age and sex about her-no one to supply
| the place of mother. The warmest affection
| of a father, never can make up for wants like
| these"
"Ihave an aunt replied Fernando, {" who in
habits Cazorla with her two daughters, both
much about the age of your 1nesilla. In this
family are blendid inexhaustible amiableness,
enlightened religion, deep and varied acquire
ments. Deprived Of the gifts OF fortune, they
have nothing to live on but moderate pension,
of which their virtues, the duty of humanity,
and the claims Of relationship, concur in rem
dering it imperative on me to force their accep-
lance Cazorla is situated not far hence; just on
the skirts of the Vega-a sight OF SURPRISING
beauty. Go, YOURSELF in my name. Find my
noble relation. Confide to her your lnesila."
Lopez, scarcely hearing him out caught
his hands and bathed them with tears of graft
tude.
twas not long before Ineslla was conducted,
by her father, to the aunt of Fernando, from
whom, and from her daughters, she received
most affectionatc welcome; while Lopez, disa'
bused Of his prejudices against the world, re.
gained his cottage, satisfied with himself and
Others and silently and seriously resolving
never more to think slightingly of human ma
ture, and go often and see his daughter
One day he was bordering, on his recollec.
tons of Fernando, on his delicate lberality. and
on his profound proverb, whom, casting his eyes
unconsciously around, they rested upon low
y tree, where a poor little orphan dove, left
alone ere the down had enough thickened to
shield it from the evening chill, forsaken as it
was by all nature, filled its forlorn nest with
feeble wailings
At that moment, from the mighty summit of
Sierra Moreno, bird of prey-Gt was vul-
ture! -out-spreading its immense wings, point
ed its flight downwards to the lamenting dove, &
for some time kent lowering above the tree