The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-05-13


tam. spread straw mat on the ground
before IL, and there, kaet IN prayer
every morning and evening. | Obtained
from Leonora large quantity of moss,
With which covered low rock that form.
ed a convenient seat; and there | sat
and tried to read; but too generally my
thoughts wandered from my book and dwelt
only on my Alphonsine, and on my sad cap.
uvity. Yet | fe,l that if my child could
be with me, all the evils of my lmprison.
meni might be borne with patience aud it
was my daily and hourly prayer that she
might BY some means be restored TO me-
At last, that prayer was granted.
Whs; was my rapture on receiving one
morning from Leonera, billet, with these
words. /, is difficult, to know how 10 dis
pose Of the cblld, as her increasing like
cess TO you aud 10 her father, must eyentu.
ally betray her origin. Some Of the ser.
wants at the castle have frequently seen
you and your late husband, When they &C
complnled your grandfather Oh bis visits 10
Madrid. and there are several families in
the neighborhood, who knew you in that
city. Beside which, there are in the 50.
loon, portraits of yourself and Don Pedro,
painted Tor your grandfather shortly before
his death. AlphonsiGe already resembles
both these portraits. and the resemblance
has been remarked By persons who have
happened TO see her at the cottage IN the
/ forest.
Her death would remove mech uneas.
/ ness from the mind Of the Count; and /
Will not disguise from yoU, thai he thinks
that even. msy be accelerated, By immur.
ing he. in the vaults that form your prison.
/ She is uow too healthy. lie has de,ermn
ed 10 restore her to you, and this evening
.. eight O'Clock, you will find her in the
basket. The Count leaves the castle TO.
night, and returns TO Madrid; but he will
/ FIRST 60 TO the nearest seaport, taking with
hin Martin and Katrina, for whose servi.
ces be has no farther occasion, and whom
be will ship Immediately for their native
country
So great vas my transport on finding
!ha, | was again 10 see my child and 10
have her With me, that | could scarcely
read 10 tbs END of the note. Still, how BIT
ter was my indignation at the cruelty OF
The motive that had at last induced the
Com. to make NY inisn; the partner Of my
captivity. But she shall not die, ca
claimed, ! gill watch her too carefully
and the blessing Of Heaven will aid my eli.
forts 70 preserve her existence in this drea
~ Dungeon. We sill be the whole ord
10 each other, and even IN this dismal soil.
,ude Se may be happy.
+ How did long for The approach OF even
lag. The day passed N one continual
I thought Of my chl.d ald two hours before
the appointed time, was waiting. IN the
outer cavern with my eyes steadily fixed
90 The trap door. At lcog,h saw /, open
the basket began % descend heard the
cry Of ny Alphonsiue-I say her hl,le
rancs eXlsaded-l flew to her-I held her
again 10 nv arms, and / wes once more
the happlest Of women. thought not then
Of tue sad prIyalions this unfortunate child
must endure, in these gloomy and lonely
Faults-i thought only OF the felicity OF
having her With me; and | kissed her a
thousand times and batbed her lunocen;
/ iace 9Th tears Of jog. found her cousid
efst!y grown, and plump and rosy beyond
Ey ulosF sangune hopes. carried her to
ny chamber, and laid her on the bed,
aAIle ! prepared some bread and milk for
her; but turned 10Y head every moment
to COX at ber as she gazed around 10 infant
~outer, al tie new aud strange place IN
which sic found herself. Her eyes were
frequently Fixed 90 me, aud It grieyed me
TO think that she Was unconscious of nv
beng aes moiser Bat she will soon
know me SAID AID, she will know Only
me FED her, and vas delighted to fad
iha! she Gte With an excellent appetite, aud
then, after had long tine lndylged my.
self 10 caressing her, uudTessed her and
PIT her 10 bed. had found a supply o.
her clothes IL the bottom Of the basket
That happy night had 10 desire 10 sleep
u had TOO much pleasure in locking al
her as SIZE slumbered By ny side.
No words can express my felicity after
Dy daughter was restored TO me, had
gov something 10 attach ne 10 life ard 10
make every moment interesting. an,icl
paied the delight Of seeing her wax aud
play, and Of bearing her innocent little
TAX already formed plans for her od1-
cauoa, and for teaching her accomplish.
Dents that would diversity the mono,ony
Of her lonely and secluded life. At present
| could only caTess her, and devote my
whole attention TO her health and comfort
| held her On NY lap as ale : walked ailh
her 10 my arms; aud If she was awake, |
carried her 10 tie oratory when | Weut
there to pray. Having 10 leave her 90
The bed when went to The outer cavern
10 get the basket Of food, hasieued back
immediately lest she should cry 10 my 30
sence.
Devoted entirely 10 the care Of my Al.
phonsns bad but little t,me to read or TO
draw, and determined not TO play again
On the guitar tiIl she was old enough to
take pleasure IL the soucd Of MUSIC.