Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-02-25


focks. There WAS cross over the door, and /
before 1t was great spreading oak, with a
swcei spring OF water al its foot The body /,
FOL the faithful servant, who had fallen in the I
.do!once OF his lord, was buried close by the |
wall Of this sacred retreat, and the hermit pro-
missed TO perform masses for the rcpose of his |
soul. Then Pelayo obtained from the holy
gather consen, that the merchants wife and
ga l9hier should pass tie night within his CELL |
ss~d iho hefuit made beds Of moss for them,
saud gave them his benedicion but the maiden
found little rest, so much were her thoughts
occupied by the youthful champion who had
rescued her from death or dishonor.
Pelayo, however, was visited by no such
wandering OF the mind, but, wrapping himself
in his mantle, slept soundly by the fountain
under the tree. At midnight, when every
thing was buried in deep repose, he was awak-
cncd from his sleep and beheld the hermit be-
fore him, with the beams of the moon shining
upor his silver hair aud beard.
" This is no time to be sleeping" said the
latter, "arise and listen to my words, and hear
OF the great work to which thou an chosen"
Then Pelayo arose and seated himself upon
rock, and the hermit continued his discourse
" Behold, said he, the min of Spain is at
hand. 1t will be delivered into the hands of
strangers, and will become a prey to the spoil
er. Its children will he slain, or carried into
captivity or such as may escape these evils
will harbor with the beasts of the forest or the
eagle ofthe mountains. The thorn and the
4 brambe will spring up where now are seen
the corn-field, the vine and the olive, and hun
| cry wolves will roam in place Of peaceful locks
and herds But thon my son tarry not thou
to see these things, for thou canst not prevent
them. Depart on pilgrimage TO the sepul-
chre of our blessed Lord in Palestine purify
/ myself by prayer; enroll myself in the order
OF chivary, and prepare for the great work of
the redemption of thy country for to thee it
will be given 10 raise it from the depth of its
affection
Peayo would have inquired farther into the
evils thus foretold, but the hermit rebuked his
curiosity
seek not to know more" said he, ethan
heaven is pleased to reveal. Clouds and dark
ness covers It's designs, and prophecy is never
( permitted to lift up, but in part, the vail that
rests upon the future"
The hermit ceased to speak, but Peayo laid
himself down again to take repose, but sleep
! was etranee. ~ lilo Dyes.
When the first rays of the rising sun shone
( upon the tops OF the mountains, the travellers
assembled round the fountain beneath the tree,
and made their morning rep; ST. Then, having
received the benediction of the hermit they
departed in the freshness of the day, and de-
seconded along the hollow deiles leading into
the interior Of Spain The good merchant was
refreshed by sleep and by his mornings meal;
and when he behed his wife and dauphtcr
thus secure 10y his side, and the hackney, laden
with his treasure, close behind him, bis heart
was light within his bosom, and he carolled
chanSon as he went, and the woodlands echo
cd to his song. But Pelayo rode in silence,
I for he reyolved in his mind the porteniious
words of the hermit; and the daughter of the
merchant ever and anon stole looks at him full
Of tenderness and admiration, and deep signs
betrayed the agitation of her bosom.
! Al length they came to the foot Of the noun
tans, where the forests and the rocks terminal
cd, and an opan and secure country lay before
the travellers. Here they halted, for their
roads were widely different When they came
10 part, the merchant and his wife were loud
in thanks and benedictions. and the good bur
ger would iaia have given Pclayo the largest
of his sacks of gold; but the young man put II
aside with 4 smile. Silver and gold" said
he, "need ! not, but if have deserved augh,
at thy hands, give me thy prayers, for the
prayers of good man are above all price"
Ia the mean time the daughter had spoken
never a word. Al length she rcised her eyes,
which were filled with tears, and looked tim
lily al Peliyo. and her bosom throbbed; and
ai'er violent struggle between s,rong ahec-
ton and virgin modesty, her heart relieved il
self by words.
"Senor," said she, II know that am I'M
worthy the notice Of 50 noble a cavalier; but
suffer me 10 place this ring upon the finger of
that hand which has 90 bHaSaly ro~cued us
non dea u; and when you regard II you may
! c3asi Ter il a. a memorial Of your own va n,
aad not ci one who is too humble 10 be remcm-
bereI by YOU"
With these words she drew from her finger
a ring and put II upon the finger Of Pelayo
and having done this, she blushed and treIn-
blet At her oWa bOllucss aud stood as one a.
Dashed, viii hcr eyes cast down TO the earth.
PelayO was moved al the words Of the sim
/ pie maj Ten, and al the touch OF her fair hand,
and ~ her beauty, as she stood thus trembling
I and ~ tears before him, but as yet he knew
/ nothing Of woman, and his heart was free from
/ the s1lres ofloyc. Amiga" (friend) said he,
Z " accept Thy present, and Will wear II in re-
membrane Of Thy goodness 50 saying, he
kissed her on the check.
The damsei was cheerel By these wotds,
and h0pel she had awakened some tenderness
~ lis bosom, but there was no such thing,
says the grave old chr0nicleI, for his heat was
devoted 10 higher and more sacred motives:
yot certain il IS, that lie always guarded well
thai rag.
Wien they parted, Pelayo remainel with
DIS h9msmen on cliff, watching that no evil
boiell llgm until they were far beyond the
skirts ~ the mountain aud tie maiden often
turne 10 look a him uatl she could no longer
discern him. iOr the distance aud the tears that
dimme1 her eyes.
Ans, thai be had accepted her mig, she con
sile.ed herself welded 10 him ia her han.
and Woul ucgcf marry nor could she be