The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-05-11
FROM THE NEW ORLEANS TIMES.
"REMINISCENCES OF NEW ORLEANS.

heavy peal over river city and country. III was
Sabbath morning. The citizens came from their
homes, and entered the sanctuary with feelings OF
deep awe and contrtion That was period when
New Orleans was like quiet village, and the Peo-
pie knew each other. Among those who came
as transient worshippers, and knelt down in the
aises, was young woman of about twenty-five
years of age. She was plainly dressed, though
lew articles, such as kerchiet, her gloves, and
diamond ring, denoted that she might have once
seen better days. A black veil covered her face,
which she put aside on entering the Church, and
showed to the few who were near, countenance
beautiful, but pale as the face OF the sculPtured
Madonna. Her ashen lips were at times slightly
apart, when they would convulsively culver, as
though from almost bursting emotions, while her
dark hair and sunken eyes were fixed immovabe
upon the image OF our suffering Saviour. Silently
she continued TO kneel at the foot OF the altar nor
stirred limb in her dark folding dress, not even
when the rites for the morning were over. In
deed she did not seem to notice the withdrawing
OF the people, and continued unmoved. When
all were gone, Pere Antonio de Sedella, the aged
prior, kneeled down before the virgin, and as he
was won't, duplicated for his people aloud. Sud-
denly he heard deep drawn sigh, and on looking
over the railing, saw the maiden lying PROSTATE
upon the floor. He raised her in his arms and
carrying her to the basin by the door, sprinkled
water upon her cold features. Surprising that she
had only tainted, he waited few moments for her
recovery. On her still remaining motionless, he
felt for her heart but it was cold and still and
his again looking at her features, he perceived that
her jaw had fallen.
"God receive thy spirit!' exclaimed the Prior,
and he Immediately performed the appropriate
rites for the veal Of the departing soul He then
called in some women whobore away the beautiful
r. II. - ,,.~z Lo.
neck, they discovered the miniature of young
man, with lock of light colored hair, and, in sher
pocket, with FIVE doubloons,) letter directed to
Theresa" written in the language of passion, and
signed, 'sAndrea d. Castella." Nothing more they
found, and all inquirngs as TO who she be, proved
fruitess.
In the evening, mass was said over the un-
known, and as they bore her away, through the
night, to the Prior's house, while the high moon
shone brightly, the heavy bell again tolled mourn
fully from the gray tower.
The next morning by the order Of Don Andre
twelve young men and as many mai
dens, dressed in mourning, followed the corpse to
the cemetery, and the maiden of sorrow was in
tered with rites and ceremonies.
By order Of the Prior, plain marble slab was
placed on her tomb, engraved with these words:
THERESA,
Requasecat IN pace"
They may be found at this day, but hardly dis
tinguished, for time and moss have done their
work The tomb is on your right you enter
the cemetery, and you can see in the vault where
the end has fallen down, few messy bones and
part Of skull.
About week after Theresa was buried, young
man Of about twenty-three, wearing short sword,
and dark Canadian plume was discovered in the
act of opening her tomb, was seen to lift out the
body carefully and carry it away. He was appre-
hended as ne was stepping into small boat OPP
poste the Place a. .armes, and brought before the
Governor. Being Intercepted as to why he desc
Grated the dead, he answered in French, the sub
stance Of which is as follows:
Theresa and Andrea Castella, were natives of
France. They were playmates in childhood, and
lovers in youth. They had spent many pleasant
and dreary hours in the garden of the chateau
which was in one Of the valleys Of the blue Py-
rennes. Andrea had expectations Of grandeur,
and Theresa was the daughter Of noble, but
their parents fell under the dispeasure Of Robes
pierre, were taken prisoners to Paris. suffered
death, and the children barely escaped with their
lives Theresa sailed with some emigrants to Que
bee, Andrea fled into Spain, and two years after,
unknowingly followed Theresa. One day he
saw her in the Hotel de Deu. She had taken the
veil, supposing him dead. He contrived to cor
respond with her. and they concerted plan for
escape 1t succeeded, and they travelled night
and day through the forests Of Maine. At last
they reached New York and engaged vessel for
New Orleans When the hour Of sailing arrived,
Andrea was not on board, and the Captain waited
an hour, but he came not. When the vessel was
about to leave, however Andrea appeared on the
Jersey shore. They made signals for him to come
on board, but he did not observe it, and walked
away. He had mistaken the day of sailing. The
vessel went her way with the melancholy Theresa,
who imagined she was forsaken. The vessel on
reaching New Orleans, stopped long enough to
land her, and then proceeded to Natchez. The
poor girl was alone in strange place, and knew
not where to 60. Her kind spirit was suffering
under remorse and unrequitted love, that crusher
of the soul-when all is given! The night be-
fore that Sabbath, she slept in the Place d'Armes.
Andrea intended to have taken her body to France,
but became mad when he found she was dead
The lady was replaced by the civil officers and
in few days after, the wretched Andrea lost his
miseries in death. He was laid by Theresa's side;
lovely they were in their lives, and in their death
thpv WEI nOt divided