The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-02-29
THE SPANISH HEADSMAN.
iConcluded.l

Thus relieved from painful intrusion, the old man
arose" ] uanilo." said he stenly. The son, aware
OF his fathers Intention only replied by incliaation
of the head indicative Of decided REFUSAL He then
sank into chair, while his wild, fixed, and hag gard
look rested upon his parent. Come come, Juanito !;
dearest brotherl" said Clara, in encouraging and
cheerful tone, she playuly placed herself upon his
knee one arm encircng his neck the other hand fond
" removing the hair from his burning forehead, which
she affecionately Kissed. If you knew, my JuaniIo
my own kind brother, how welcome death would be- If
given at your hand. Thine, Juanit0l my loved, loved
JuaHito, that shall thus escape the odOUs touch of
the public executioner. You, you will end my suffer
ings: and shall thwart the triumph Of"
Her dark eye turned from JuanitO full on Victor il
20 awaken in her brothers bosom all his hatred Of the
French.
Al Be a man. brother. Summon all your courage
said FilipPO; Let not our name PERISH and by your
fast
Clara arose; while all made way for the Marques,
sho addressed his I" IL Is nv will command
you, Juano.' The young count moved not, stirred
NOT; and his father fell his feet Raaee, Filippc,
and their sisters did the same, stretching forth their
suppcaIng hands towards him, who alone could save
their name osa forgeulness and extinction, while tie
Marques, on his knees, continued " My son, my Jul
aniI0, prove yourself Spaniard Show the stern
solve, the noble feeling OF Spaniard. Let not your
father thus knerl vain before you. What your
suferDgs compared with the honor of those you love
those who truly love YOU Let not your own
sorrows prevail against YOUR fathers prayer Would
not die for you il required of me Live then for
Ms Let not the hand of infamy insult my hoary head.
s
Marquess addressing his wife as he arose, while Ju-
anito with fixed and horrid STARE deadke; the
dstended muscles of his ivid from, seeming less the
traits Of mortal man than those of chiseled MARBLE
He Yields, he Yields" shrieked forth the mother in
accents of triumph aud despair. He consents she
cried, as she marked slight movement Of his brow,
which she only could understand implying the hard
and cruel obedience of her child.
The amoner OF the chateau entering he Instantly
surrounded by the family, who led him towards Ju-
anito while Victor, no longer able 10 endure the scene
made sign Clara of his Intention and rushed from the
room TO make one last effort with the General. Him
he found in one Of his middle moods eheeuly
ng with his officers while he parook OF the delicious
wines the cellars Of the chateau afforded.
An hour afterwards, and one hundred OF the prlnci
pal inhabitants OF Menda assembled by the Gene
ras orders on the terrace witness the execution of
the family of Leganes. They arranged beneath
the line Of galows, which hung the bodies of the
Marqaesss domestcs; and strong military guard
preserved order. AT about thirty PAGES distance,
blcck had been prepared, on which large and naked
soinetar placed while the executiouer stood
40 act, in the event OF Juanito's refusal.
The dead silence which prevailed was interrupted by
the sound Of many footsteps; the slow and measured
tread OF sodery aud the Gathering of arms, drow ned
times, by the loud laugh of the officers their wine.
So had the dance and music, but shortly SINCE been
mingled with the expiring creams oihe French garrison
Ali eyes now directed towards the chateau, and
the several members OF the Leganes family approached
With firm unshnnking step, and eounesances patient,
calm and serene-save one. tie, pale wan and heart
esry argument Of religion, sustain and console the
wreiched being who alone condemned 10 live. The
Marques his wife, and their four children took their
places PAGES distant from the block, and knelt.
Jnanito led 0w ard BY the priest and having reach
cd the fatal spot the public execntOner advanced and
whispered to him, hnplv impartiDg necessary in
sructons in his dreadful mystery The conessor would
have arranged the victims avoid, far pos
=sibie view Of the work of death; but they were
Spaniards, and evnced no symptoms of fear.
Clara darted forward 10 her brother. Juaniloi'
she exclaimed, you must have pity my weakness.
4 am a sad, sad, coward.-Begin with me-"
hasty step was heard arproaching-it was Victor.
Clara kneeling by the block and her white neck
already barred to the scnear. The officer shuddered,
but rushed forward" Your life is spared Clara. The
General pardons YOU, you consent-to-tobe mime.
The Spanish lady looked on him for an instant; a
proud, diSdainl glance Of whitening scoTn, Quick,
quick, Juanito" she murmured in hurried hollow
VOICE as she turned and her head rolled Vicors feet
As hersl dull blow of the heavy scimeiar as heard
for moment the mothers whole frame moved con-
vuisvely II the first and only sign of weakness
exhibited.
San well sony good-good Juanito ?" said the
Iittle Rafaele.
a You weep, nv Marqnirita, my sister" And, verify
the of Juano seemed voice from the tomb, as
again he liied the scimeiar.
alt Is for YOU dear brother" she answered. Poor
poor Jnanio YOU will be without ALL alone, and SC
unhappy"
The tall commanding figure of the Marques now up
preached He locked on his chldrens blood, and her
turning tow ards the assembled Spanards and stretch
ing forth his arms Jnahito exclaimed IN loud
and Tesolate tone of VOICE." SpaDiards hear me!
fathers blessing give unto my son; NAV II ever res
on and with hirn,-Hs is the post of duty. Now