Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-01-11
VOL. XH-.No. 6O3

l'uIc, uuu was u TGSlucHl OF me CITY OF
Assumption, in Paraguay, where the af-
fectlng scene occurred, some twenty-five
years since. Now, then, for the story.
Donna Juan Ysquibel, was one Of The
most extraordinary women ever saw. In
Paraguay women fade generally into old
age at forty. Yet Donna Juanna was
eighty four; and though necessarily shriv.
elled and grey, she still presetveda vvacty
Of eye, hality Of disposition, and an
activity. both Of body and mind, which
exempified the truth Of the saying that
"there is no general rule without an ex.
ception." | was entertained by her cen
Prince" There is in the Spanish charac-
ter, especially as it was then enlarged by
South American abundance, such magn-
ficent conception Of the word "hospitally,"
that | allowed it, with proper dcmonstra-
tions Of reciprocal courtesy and favors on
my part, to proceed. on that of Donna
Juana. to q great extent. In the first
place, her whole household establishment,
servants, horses, viands, produce of her
estate, were at my disposal. Then, if
accidentally admired any thing she had-a
favorite palfrey, rich filigree, choice speci-
mems abandoning, preserved sweetmeats,
or pair Of handsome mules--they were
instantly made over to me in way to rem.
der their reception unavoidable. A gold
snuff box, because said it was very pretty,
was brought by slave one morning into
my room; and ring Of brIlands, because
one day happened to look at it, was laid
on my table, with note which made it's
acceptance imperious. Nothing was cook.
ed in the house but what it was known I
liked and though endeavored in as many
ways as possible, at once to compensate for
this onerous clvilty, and to show that l
felt it 10 be rather overwhelming, yet
found all my efforts 10 diminish it ineffec.
, tual.
was fond Of the paintive airs sung by
the Paraguayans, and accompanied by my
guitar. Donna Jrana knew this; and 10
my great surprise, when came home one
evening from town, found her, under the
direction of a guitarisla or master OF
guitar, endeavoring, with her cracked
voice, to sing triste, and with her lank,
brown. and wrrfkled fingers, to mSnage an
= accompaniment to it on the guitar. How
Could do otherwise, on beholdng such a
:, spectacle of second childhood, than, in
defiance even Of the lady's sensitive nature.
break out into smile, expressive Of deri-
J sion, "For Gods sake" said |, donna
i Juana, how can you, fourteen years after
the time when, according to the laws Of
e humanity gu should have been in the grave,
either make yourself such buA for the
o r,i'cna of your enelmes, or such an object
G for compassion of your iriends?" The
e exclamation, confess, even though adj.
d dressed to woman Of eighty four, was
not gallant liant, one d. Were age is e, con-;
c That Donna Juanna, in this respect, had
H., 81 h1-
o apparent. Down she flung the guitar
II she ordered the singing master very un-
II tremendously out of the house; the SER
J. wants she sent out of the room and then,
9 with ficrceness of aspect, of which little
q the following address: "Senor Don JOAN
n little did expect such an insult from the
" man whom have loyed;" and on the latter
ID word she laid 40 ordinary emphasis
Yes" lshe continuedl "loved was pre-.
s. pared, am still prepared to offer you my
le hand and my estate. If was learning Ia
Is sing, and to play the guitar, for whose sake
OF was it but yours! What have | studied
lr what have | thought Of, for whom have
SIS lived during the last three months but fol
'e You? and is this the return which | meet
y WITH" Here the old lady exhibited @
"a curious combination Of the ridiculous, the
ID pathetic. and the passionate, as, melting
% into tears, and yet sohbing with indignation
lie she gave vent to her feelings. The scene
n was one of striking novelty, not alIoyet
c, with alarm on my part, on account of the
OF poor old woman. therefore left TIE
In room; sent her female servant to her; tolc
IN them their mistress was seriously ILL.,; anC
II, after hearing that all alarm was over,
10 went to bed, not knowing whether most tC
'r pity, or TO smile at, the tender passion
ne which youth Of twenty had excited il
4 The susceptible bosom Of lady of eighty
IT, four.
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