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

iochihg u up. l had With me little dog,
which had been given me by my husband
and which loved next Ia my child, aud
could not think Of leaving Azor behind
| awoke him by my carcsses, aud made
signs that he mus, be perfectly quiet. The
faithful animal understood me, and lay with
his head upon his foTepaws, watching me
intently, bu, not presuming TO move.
approached on ,lptoe the table that
stood by Leonora's bed; my heart throb,
bing so siolen,ly that ! could scarcely
breathe. | opened the drawer, and tool,
out the key. | went to the door that com
munlcaied with the gallery pu, the key
into the lock, which opened easily, and
without the leas, noise. took lighted
taper in my hand, and my dog uuder my
arm. and passed through the door, which
closed after ne, ADD II mode no sound what
ever.
After going down a flight Of sious, |
found myself 10 long narrow gallery, at
the end Of which saw another door tim,
was fastened only by hook and loop Of
IRON. opened il without difficulty, aud
saw q long staircase, which cautiously
des, ended. II had more than to hundred
steps, and when reached the bottom, |
found myself IN a vault or cavern Of pro.
digious extent, in which hoped 10 discover
the outlet into the garden.
wandered a long time abou, tho lower
part Of the cavern, but fading 10 opening,
| directed my steps towards the other OK
t'emity, which gradually assembled. |
walked slowly, aud looked round attentive.
Y on every SIDE when suddenly heard
The murmur Of falling water. This sound
made me start With joy, for doubted not
that It came from the garden, and tina, the
outlet Of The cavern was near. turned
to the right, aud | entered a recess formed
by walls Of rugged rock. Here found a
cascade or fountain descending from an im
nense height near the top of the cave, and
falling behind an enormous mass Of broken
rocks, where the water probably precpiia-
ing itself down slope, opened a passage
'hrough the stones, and trickIed out into
the garden.
All my search for an aperture through
which | might escape, proving Intellectual,
| leii the recess and found my way 10 the
fourth Of these vast vaults. After walking
some distance, ! was surprised to End under
my feet straw mating, and to see that DC,
only the floor wos covered witb il, bot also
he walls. aJvenced, bst my surprise wos
redou5led Hhen | found n carpet spread
over the mating. | FASTENED 10 the OK
tremuy Of the vasl,, and stood mo,ouless
wish amazement 90 perceiviag bed, an
easy chair, (bu; 10 other seai,) foo! stool,
and a table, on which was placed ocean
Ter Of water, goblet, cup, a knife, fork,
and spoon, pile of plates, and large bas
ket filed with fruit aud other refreshments.
At the foot Of the bed vas an ENORMOUS
chest bali open; cast my eyes into It, and
saw that Il yes full Of clothes and linen.
| was seized With CT Of trembling, and
with stalking hand set nj taper on the
table. fell into the chair, EXCHANGING
''Oh for whom he's this gloomy dwelling
been prepared and Geo 10 opeu!ug to get
out Of the cayern--;here ts surely none -
This conviction made me shoulder. "But,"
! said, =" | viii search again rose, aud
looking ards tie liable, perceived pa
per placed aear tie basket. Nv hair stood
on end wiih horror IS / fell back in the seat
and read these words, written 10 the hand
Of the Count Dc Moncalde, and addressed 10
ne -
This cavern has but one single en-
tfaace, which IS a0w closed, and vii never
opo again for you. You will every day
5ad your food at the foot Of the stair case,
IN basae; attached to q rope, BY which /,
vii be LEI down through a wicket made 10
the door al the top Of the stairs. BY THIS
means tie Count de Honca!le will become
the pos5assor Of nearly all your wealth"
sat peirfad ~iib as'onshmeui aud nor
ror Al ihts moneu; my tapor burnt out,
and he deep gloom that surrounded me
added 70 NJ despair. felt as If ny blood
no logger circulated 10 my sciug, and as Il
all NJ faculties were suspended, had Bat
me Thought snd that vas fycd on these
terrible words" The door u tbs cavern
*iil never open again ur you r
An iuteuse THIRST aroused me from ibis
state Of siUpor. Ifet for Tie decanter oil
eaier, ard drank With aWdHy bu, IN mo
ncnl ! found myself 50 III that feared The
y ater had been poisoned, However,
grew better after While, and Ny approhen.
SONS Of death subsiicd | pressed tie
'pnog Of ny repeating watch, and found
hat il was SIX O'Clock 10 the incrmug.-
Alas exclaimed, day light has long
NICE appeared, hu, ! shah see u 10 u,ore. /
The suu has risen, but never again wi, i; /
,hlne on ue hsl said these words, my
log, who bad been asleep at my feet, a@oke, (
nd risiu. On his hind legs, began 10 lick
ny hands. | melted into tears ahcn /
bought tbai this poor animal WIS the oliy
wing creature from shom codId in lllGre
'ccalye any tokens Of affection; Cor had
10 hopes Of ever seeing my child agan.--
5fiH ! believed, that wicked as the Couol
sas, be could not have The heart 10 iri1re
ny innocent infant. | wepi long and b,itcr
T. aad ID consequence fell a Iittle relieved. I