The Yazoo City Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 183?-1840, 1839-08-23

my wounds, which are slight, nor from my
captivity, for your kindness has robbed II OF
all gloom; nor from my defeat, for to be
conquered By so accomplished and renowned
vavalieT, is no disgrace. But to explain
to you the cause of my grief, it is necessary
to give you some particulars of my story; and
this am moved to do, by the great sympa-
thy you have manifested toward me, and
the magnanimity that shines through all
your actions.n
ssKnow, then, that my name is Abendar-
nez, and that am of the noble but unfor-
tunate line of the Abencerages of Grenada.
You have doubtless heard of the destruction
thatfelt upon our race. Charged with trea-
sonable designs of which they were entirely
innocent; many of them were beheaded,
and the rest banished so that not an Aben-
cenage was permitted to remain in Grenada
excepting my father and my uncle, whose
innocence was proved even to the satisfac-
ton of their prosecutors. 1t was decreed,
however, that should they have children, the
sons should be educated at distance from
Grenada, and the daughters should be mar
RED out of the kingdom.
s'Conformably to this decree, was sent
while yet an infant, to be reared in the for
tress of Cartama, the worthy Alcayde which
was an ancient friend of my father. He had
no children, and received me into his fami-
ly as his own child, treating me with the
kindness and affection of a father; and /
grew up iT the belief that he really was
such. A few years afterward, his wife gave
birth to a daughter, but his tenderness to-
ward me continued undiminished. / thus
grew up with Xarisa, (for so the infant
daughter of the Alcayde was called, as her
own brother, and though the growing pas
sion which felt for her was mere fraternal
affection, beheld her charms unfolding, as
it were, leaf by leaf, like the morning rose,
each moment disclosing fresh beauty and
sweetness.
"At this period, overheard a converse
ton between the Alcayde and his confden-
tial domestic, and found myself to be the
subject. 1T is time, said he, .to apprise
him of his parentage, that he may adopt a
career of life. Ihave deferred the commu-
nicatlon as long as possible, through reluc-
lance TO inform him that he is of pros
cribed race
''This intelligence would have overwhelm-
ed me at an earlier period, but the intima-
ton that Xarisa was not my sister, operated
like magic, and in an instant transformed my
affection into ardent love.
81 sought, Xarisa, to impart to her the
secret had learned. | found her in the
garden, in bower of jessamines arranging
her beautiful hair by the mirror of a crystal
The radiance of her beauty daz-
zled me. ran to her with open arms, and
she received me with sisters embraces.
When we had seated ourselves beside the
fountain, she began to upbraid me for leaving
her alone so long.
'EIn reply, informed her of the converse
ton had overheard. The recital shocked
and distressed her.
''Alas!' cried she, "then is our happiness
at an end!o
''How!' exclaimed twill thou cease
to love me, because ! am not thy brotherg''
t'Not SO" replid she; but do you not know
that when it is once knownwe are not brother
and sister, we can no longer be permitted
to be thus always together?"
SIN fact, from that moment our inter-
course took new character. We met often
at the fountain among the jessamines, but
Aarisa no longer advanced with open arms
to meet me. She became reserved and si-
lent, and Would blush and cast down her
eyes, when seated myselfbeside her.. My
heart became prey to the thousand doubts
and fears that ever attend upon true love.
was restless and uneasy, and looked back
with regret to the Inreserved intercourse
that had existed between, US, when we sup
posed ourselves brother and sister, yet II
would not have the relationship true for the |
world.
"While matters were in this state be-
.ween US, an order came from the King of
Grenada for the Alcayde to take command
If the fortress of Coyn, which lies directly
IN the Christian frontier. He prepared to
emoye with all his family, but signifed that
should remain at Cartama. / exclaimed
against the separation, and declared that !
;ould not be parted from Xarian "T'hat is
hevery cause,o said he, swhy leave thee
behind. It is time, AbandaInez, that thou
houldst know the secret Of thy birth; that
hou art no son of mine, neither is Xarisa.
hysister.n 81 know it al, ? exclaimed /,
land / love her with ten fold the affection
# a brother. You have brought US up To-
,ether, you have made US necessary TO each
,ther's happiness, our hearts have entwined
themselves with our growth; do not tear
hem asunder. illup the measure Of your
.indness-be indeed a father to me, by
living me Xarisa for my wife
stThe brow Of the Alcayde darkened as |
poke. Shave then been deceiyed2'' said
e !. Have those nurtured inmy bosom, been
onspiring against met Is this your return
81 my paternal tendemess9- to beguile the
Elections ofmy child, and teach her to de-
Give her fatheF2 Il was cause enough to-
efuse thee the hand ofmy daughter, that
hou vert Of prescribed race, who can ne
e. approach the walls Of Grenada; this,
oweFer, Knight have passedoger; butnever
ST i niua nv dannhfar lo . man who has b