The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-05-23

Wuuiu ulNcfsllV Tue nonutOny OF seCluutu
life. At present could omly caress her,
aud devote my whole attention to her health
and comfort. ! held her on my lap as ]
ate; walked with her in my arms; and
If she was awake, carried her 10 the ora
tory when Went there to pray. Having
To leave her ON the bed when I went 10 the
outer cavern To get the basket Of food, ! has
tened back Immediately lest she should cry
in my absence.
Devoted entirely 10 the care Of my Al
phonslne had but little time to read or To
draw, aud determined not to play ngain
ON the guitar tll she was old enough to
take pleasure in the sound of music.
made one day in the cave of the foun-
tain discovery which transported me with
| JOY. Being in my ora,ory, l wished to wipe
off the crucifix some stains caused by the
vapor oCthe water. held mp handker-
chief in one hand and my taper IN the 9TH
er, when perceived the fame of the taper
began to waver, and felt on my hand
blast of fresh mir which game through the
crevices of the rock. was transported
with Joy at even this little symptom of com
munication with the upper world. My first
thought was 10 run for my child whom ]
had left asleep on the bed, aud To bring her
to breathe this fresh mir, which I supposed
came from the fields or gardens, aud pass
ed over flowers and verdurc!
was holding Alphonsiue near the rock
when Azor began TO bark. | was much
surprised, as it wns ot The hour Of Lcono-
ra's visit TO The ,rapdoor. ran thither as
soon as ] had laid my child on my bed. i
found The basket as usual, and it contained
u billet from Leonora. ] opened it trem-
bling, and read the followii z words.
81 have received positive orders from
my lord, the Count TO allow you no more
light. You have still some oil and wax re-
naming of your former supply. Manage
il well, for it is the last you will ever have"
This terrible decree fell on me like II
thunder bolt. ] supposed that the Count
tired Of The existence of myself aud my in
font, and not being able to bring his mind
or Leonora's To the resolution of destroying
us at once, had devised this mode Of adding
an uusupportnble prva,ion to the misery OF
our captivity, in the hope ,hn, our suffer
ings from the want of light would slowly,
but surely, put an end to our unhappy lives.
At first, could not conceive The posi-
biliiy Of living in total darkness; and sup
posing, even, TINT il was possible, what
would such a life be for my unfortunate
child. Without light how could I take care
of Aphonsiuc how could bring her
through the term Of her infancy what
would become of her if she should be sick
These thoughts seemed to tear me to pieces.
However recolected that the existence of
my daughter depended on my fortitudc and
ingenuity, and tried Ia sustain myself un-
der this last drendful blow. Instead Of
ualiou, ! endeavored to think Of seeking the
means to amcIiorale il.
had only remaiaing six pounds Of WAX
tapers and one botlle of oiI. How bitterly
regretted that my child would in future
be like blind person, and that her eyes
would never open but on total darkness.
To prevent her from greving after n bles-
sing she could not hope TO enjoy, ] thought
it would be best to let her know nothing n
bout the light she was never TO see, aud the
world she was never TO visit. How few
then would be her ideas. And now that ]
could not have the happiness Of teaching
her TO read, to write, 10 sew, or to draw, l
should have but scaGiy means Of instruct
ing or amusing her.
Nolhing calms the feelings like the ne
cessity Of active employment, and was o.
bliged Immediately to commence making
preparations for n life Of darkness. ] mr.
ragged my chamber, my closets, and my
chest in such name; that without light
E.I .t..t. 4 Tod
alreudy 60 to The oratory in the dark, aud
had counted the number Of steps that de- !
scended to the cavern Of the well. I pla-
ced nv table and my other furniture IN such
a way ms not to impede my progress when
J walked. set aside in one of the closets
the six pounds Of wax candles, determined
to reserve them carefully for unforeseen e.
merpencies when I should have indispen-
sable occasion for them, and proposed TO
use the oil to light me while was making
clothes for my AIphonsIne intending to cut
them out Of different sizes so rs to last till
she was four or five years old and made
little shoes for her out OF my own. Leo
nora had some time since refused to supply
me with articles Of clothing for my child,
ms she said she could not get them made
without exciting suspicion aud for the
same reason she would not allow me to
send up Alphonsine's things III the basket
In be washed. Ny own clothes were wash
cd with Leonors's, and passed for hers.
That 1ight after went to bed, my tears
presented me from sleeping when thought
that the infant who slumbered quietly and
unconsciously beside me, wns destined to
pass her whole life in the cavern, and never
again to see The light. With what anguish
reflected that m the morni'g her eyes
would open only on darkness, that when
she began TO walk must guide her
first step trembling aud in terror with no
ligh, to direct them; that she must receive
my caresses without seeing me bestow them;
and that she would listen to my voice with