The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-11-11
THE YOUNG ROBBER.
BY W. IRVING.

he intended me for the church but had kept gay
company too much to relish the cowl, so grew
up loerer about the place was a needless fel-
low, little quarrcsome some occasion, but good
humored in the main, so ] made my way very well
for time, until / fell in love. There lived in our
town a surveyor land baiii, of the princes, who
had a young daughter, beautiful girl of sixteen.
She was looked upon as something better than the
common run of our townsfolk, and kept almost en-
tirely at home. | saw her occasionally, and be-
came mady in love with her, she looked so fresh
and tender, and so different from the sunburnt fc-
males to whom had bocn accustomed
As my father kept me in money, always dress
ed well, and took all opportunities of showing my
self to advantage in the eyes of the little beauty.
used to sec her at church and could play a
little upon the guitar, gave her tune sometimes
under her window of nm evening; and i tried to
have interviews with her in her fathers vineyard,
not far from the town, where she sometimes walked.
She was evidently pleased with me, but she was
young and shy, and her father kept strict eye up
on her, and took alarm at my attentions, for Inc had
n bad opinion Of me, and looked for better match
for his daughter. l became furious at the Difficult
ties thrown in my way, having been accustomed al
ways to easy success among the women being consd-
cred of the smartest young fellows in the place.
Her father had brought home a suitor for her; a
rich farmer from neighboring town. The we'd
ding day appointed, and preparations were
making. | got a sight of her at n window, thoguht
she looked sadly at | determined that the
match should not take place, cost what it might.
met her intended bridegroom in the market place,
and could not restrain the expression OF my rage.
A few hot words passed between us, when l drew
my stlletto, and stabbed him to the heart. / fled
to Il neghboring church for refuge, and with lit
tie money obtained absoluton {; but did not dare
to venture from my asylum.
At that time our captain was forming his troop.
He had known me from my boyhood, and hearing
of my situation, came to me IN secret, and made
such offers, that agreed To enlist myself among
his followers. Indeed had more than once taken
to this mode of fe having known several brave fell
lows of the mountains, who used to spend Their
money freely among us youngsters of the town.
accordingly left my asylum late one night repaired
to the place of meeting took the oath prescribed,
and became one of the troop. We were for some
time in distant part of the mountains, and our
Wild adventurous kind of life hit my fancy wonder
fully, and diverted my thoughts.
At length they returned with all violence to the
recollection of Rosetta. The solitude in which
often found myself gave me time to brood over her
image, and rs kept watch over our sleeping camp
in the mountains, my feelings have been aroused
almost to fever.
At lenth we shifted our ground, and determined
to make descent upon the road between Terra
CHINA and Naples. In the course of our expedition
we passed day or two in the woody
mountains which rise above Frosinone.
cannot tell you how I felt when i looked
down upon the place, and distinguished the resi-
dence of Rosetta. l determined to have an inter
view with her but to what purpose could no
expect that she would quit her home, and accom-
panv me in my hazardous life among the mountains
She had been brought up too tenderly tor that an'
when looked upon the women who were aSsocIa
ted with some of our troop, could not have borne
the idea of her being their companion. All return
to nv former life, was likewise hopeless Tor
price was set upon my head. Still determined L
see her the very hazard and iruitlessness of th
thing made me furious to accomplish 1t.
II is about three weeks since i persuaded on
captain to draw down to the vicinity of Frosinono
in hopes of entrapping some of the inhabitants, an
compelling them to a ransom. We were lying |
ambush towards evening, not far from the vinegar
of Rosetta's father. stole quietly from my CON
panions, and drew to reconnoitrc the place
her frequent walks.
How my heart beat when among The vines, bt
held the gleamngs of white dress | knew
must be Rosetta's it being for any female
the place to dress in white | advanced secret
and without noise until putting aside the vines,
stood suddenly before her. she uttered
piercing shrek, but l seized her in my arms, p'
nv hand upon her mouth, and conjurcd her to
silent. poured out all the rcuzy of my passion
offered to renounce my mode of life, To pui my in
in her hands, to fly with her where we might h'
in safety together. All that conld say or d
would not pacify her. Instead of love, horror'n:
alright seemed to have taken possession of Ia
breast. She struggled partly from my grasp al
filled the air with her cries. la an instant the ca
tain and the rest of my compano,-s ere around
! would have given any thing al th.h ihnmcnt h'
she been safe out of our hands, and Ia her father
house. IL was too late. The captain pronounce
her prize, aud ordered that she should he bor,
tn the mountains. I represented to him that 81
was my prize, that had previous claim to he
aud mentioned my former attachment. lie snee