The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-05-16

footstool, and table, on which was placed
a decanier of water, a goblet, cup, knife
fork, and spoon, pile of plates, a large
basket filed with fruits aud other refresh |
ments. Al the foot of the bed was an e.
normous chest half open cast my eyes
into it, and saw that il was full of clothes
aud linen.
was seized with Gt of trembling, and
with shaking hand Sc, my taper on the
table, fell into the chair exclaimins--
Oh! Tor whom has this gloomy dwelling
been prepared and see no opening to get
out OF the cavern--therc is surely none !"
This conviction made rue shudder. But"
l said, i" will search again." rose, and
looking towards the table, perceived a pn-
per placed near the basket. My hair stood
on end with horror as fell back in the |
scat, and read these words, written in The
hand of the Count dc Moncalde, and ad- !
dressed to me-:
" This cavern has but enc single en-
traLce, which is now closed, aud will new
er open again for you. You will every day
find your food at the foot Of the staircase,
in basket attached to rope, by which il
will be let down through wicket mado in
the door at the top of the stairs. BY this
means the Count de Moncalde will become
the possessor Of nearly all your wealth."
l sat pelri6ed with astonisbment md
horror. At this moment my taper burnt
out, and the deep gloom that surrounded
me added TO my despair. | felt us il my
blood no longer circulated in my veins. and
as il all my faculties were suspended.
had but one thobeht, and that was fixed on
IL H..
cavern will never open again for you J"
An intense thirst reused me from this
state of siupor. | felt for the decantcr Of
water, and drunk with ayidiiy: but IN a
moment found myself so i'll that ! feared
the water had been poisoned. However,
grew better after awhile, aud my appre-
tensions of death subsidized. l pressed the
spring Of my repeating watch, aud found
that it wns six o'clock in the morning. "a
lasw l exclaimed, "day-light has long
since appeared, but shall see it no more.
The sun has risen, but never again will j.
shine on me !" As / said these words, my
dog, who had bccu asleep at my feet, invoke
and rising on his hind legs, began to lick
my hands. I melted into rears when !
thought that this poor animal was the ouly
living creature from whom could in future
receive any tokens Of affection, for l had
no hope ofever seeing my chdngain. Still
believed, that wicked as the Count was,
he could not hnve the heart 10 injuro my
innocent infant. wept long and bitterly,
and in consequence felt n little relieved, for
hitherto the excess Of my anguish had made
me unable to shed tear.
At eight o'clock, ! again caused my
watch to strike. A moment afterwards,
my dog, who was running about the cav
ern, began to bark. / trembled, and sud-
denly loud voice resounded through the
vaults. II was Leonora, who with the aid
Of speaking trumpet, called me to the
wicket. l eomprehended that she had
brought me food; but. in this profound
darkness was a long lime finding the
door, though was guided by my dog, who
ran before me, and by the voice which sew
eral times repeated my nane.
Before arrived at the wicket, perceiv-
ed with joy faint light, and ! began to
Hatter myself that the door was open, and
that perhaps was about to be restored to
liberty but all was secured fast, and Leo
nora, on hearing me approach, immedintc-
ly hastsncd away. | found basket fas-
tened to IA thick cord, and containing some
food and lighted lamp. Anxiously as
had wished for light, this lump at first re-
doubled my horror, as II showed me my
gloomy labitation and casting my eyes
around me, ! saw at one view the whole of
my fatal destiny. However, i took up the
basket, and carried it to the end oflbs cav
ern that contained my bed, and which at I
tcrwards called my chamber.
On examining the basket, found a note
from Leonoro, in which shs said not word
Of my child but desired me TO TIE, every
evening, the empty basket TO the cord. She
informed me, also, that in future she would
not call me but, that every two days, at
! five o'clock 10 the morning, the basket filled
with provisions, would be deposited at the
foot Of the staircase.
The style Of this billet convinced me
that my fate was irreyocsbly fixed. Indeed
| could scarcely doub, it when saw with
what deliberate care the cavern had been
prepared, and the various arrangements
that had been made for my residence there.
This idea froze me with borror and sat
mo,ionlcss in my chair looking With fixed
ewes and a heart chilled with Consideration
on the bed where was 10 sleep TIL my last
hour. "Oh!" I exclaimed. Is 1t on
tins dreadful bed that am in future TO pass
all my nightsg How can hope to sleep
and il forget myself for awhile IN slumbcr
how miserable will be my awaklng! And
my cbdd, my AIphoosine, shall l never see
her more Shall never again hold her
in ny arms, and press her to my heart
Must she pass her life in ignorance aud OBJ
scariiy as the child Of two menials or raih-
er, will she be allowed to live at ALI And
if she should be permitted to exist, she will
grow up without knowing her unfortunate
mother, unconscious Of my sufferings aud
, fate. Far from my child shall breathe my