The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-05-06

MIRROR, as " sbuatu oiV NY StoOulf HdOha
ton and casting my eyes around me. saw
at cue view the whole Of my fatal des,in, {.
However, took up the basket and carried
il to the end OF the cavern tina, conained my
bed, aud Which | afterwards called my
chamber.
On examining The basket, found note
from Leonora, IN which she said not word
of my child; but desired me to lie, every
evening, the empty baskc, 10 the cord. She
informed me. also, that 10 future she would
not call me but, tba, every two days, at
FIVE O'Clock in the morning, the basket, ell.
ed with provisions, would be deposited at
the foot Of the stair case.
The style of this billet convinced me that
my fate was irrevocably fixed. Indeed |
could scarcely doubt it when | saw with
what deliberate care the cavern had been
prepared, and the various arrangements
that had been made for NV residence there.
| This idea troze me With horror; and
sat motionless in nv chair, looking with
fixed eyes aud heart chilled with cons,er
nation on the bed where | was TO sleep ill
my last hour. On ! exclaimed. sis it
on this dreadful bed that | am in future to
pass all my nights How can hope 70
sleep and if forget myself for awhile 10
slnmber, how miserable will be my awak
ing Aud my child, nv Alphousino. shall
| never see her more Shall ne, r again
hold her in my arms, and press her TO my
heart Mus, she pass her life in ignorance
and ohsouriiy as the child of two meuas
or, rather, viii she be allowed TO live at
lal And If she should be permitted TO
exist, she will grow up without knowing
her unfortunate mother, unconscious Of nv
suGerings and nv fate. Far from my child
shall breathe my last sigh in this melan
choly solitude. No frieudly hand will close
my eyes; and, perhaps; even nv lifeless
remains will mouIder here, forgotten !" and
q, this thought cold perspiranon covered
my forehead.
Thus passed NY first miserable day.
Towards evening FL; 50 much exhausted
that was obliged 10 lie down. shed
torrent Of tears as ! placed myself on the
bed ! felt as II | was taking possession Of
my tomb. | laid my dog hzor at nv feet,
and after long time | sunk into disturb.
ed and feverish siUmber.
did not rise till u,ue the next rn0rnng,
for to me there was no longer anv dislDc
ton between day and night Nv lamp vas
still burning. as before | went to bed had
replenished it, for had found 10 a sort .!
closet near nv bed, several sorts of proy.
sions tina; | bad aot discovered before,
with two large bottles of oil, aad several
pounds OF wsx candies.
Though ! had been Informed thar
should receive my supply e fresh food only
every other day. could not help going to
the wicket, and saw tina, the baske, had
not yet been drawn up. ! had no reason
to expect any thing, and | had more than
sufiieien. food for that day nevertheless,
the sight Of the empty bashe, filed No
rith CONSERVATION, enl brought fuchifJl
thoughts into ny mind ,remb!ed shen
| reflected that nv existence depended on
the will Of on alrociags man, nr 90 tie ue
glect Of merceuaTy woman Who sas de
voted to him.
passed the day 10 thinking Of my child.
u Ian,cutiug nv hard iste, aud ~ anxious
Is examining every part Of the cavern
lifted I'D piece Of the mating tint cover
ed the wall, and GET scnsalioa like ioy
% discovering a vault which had pot set
seen. Again hoped to f.nd an outlet.
had to descend about thirty Steps to reach
The bottom Of this cavern and before
could resolve to venture down, | aoat back
s. nv chamber, where procured FROM the
closet ,Irder box, sih a flint and steel,
and two ~ax tapers. Then returned 10
the entrance Of ibis new vault; and. a. |
looked down into IL depth, i, seemed so
gloomy, and its walls acre 50 black. that
feeling Of terror made me stop on the frs,
step Of the staircase. 81, summoned
courage, and on descending the STRIPS, |
found uoihing 10 this vault bit deep cell,
which appeared 70 lie nov dry.
| returned 10 my chamber. whore ex
ahmed all the furniture, and discovered
another closet containing drawing mateH
als, books, music, and guitar. To offer
me a musical ins'ramen, In tins dismal dun
geon, seemed like cruel m-ckery how
ever, this guitar became most precious 10
no IN TIC sequel. Ia, | vas agYeeably
surprised 10 fol writing implements 10 the
drawer Of the table. / determined inne
diately to address a letter 10 the Count De
Noncaldc, ard place il il the basael that
was 70 be drawn Up u.xl d3y
10 effect wrote 70 10Y prosecutor O
long letter, in which mplotcd him 10
give me my liberty, and reslore To me my
child and n send % UUder a leirned name
10 France or Italy pledgng myself never
70 disclose The cause had to complain If
him. In this epiatie excried AT nv clio .
ggence and hoped 50 much from il, that
alter il was written became more tran
quik ! went 70 bed early, slept quietly.
aud was awakened o. five O'Clock IN the
morning BY the barking Of Azor, which
ANNOUNCED TO me hat Leouora was at the
wicket. rose hastily, threw On wrsp
per, and ran 70 The foo, Of the stairs, where