Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-04-29
THE UNiNHADiTED VILLA.
A SICIIIAN FACT.

ter end of the last century, was hanislct
from Sicily, for the space of fifteen years
aud his estate c0iitiscalcd. he left an infant
daughter at nurse in the country. Having
lost his wife, and overwhelmed With despair
at being deprived Of the means Of bringing
I'M the child IN manner becoming It's rank.
he resolved to conceal it ircm Ter. unless
circumstances should subsequently enable
him to provide for her in a sly suitable to
her birth. With this view, he cxac,rd from
the nurse promise never To reveal even to
the Child herself the fact of her being his
daughter, unless he should IN person, or y,
other satisfactory means, authorize her to do
so. Soon after, the time limited for hi: STAY
having expired, he 1T Sicily.
Years passed after years, and the nurse OF
the young Tlrodora, such was lis clid's
name. never heard from the count, WHO, III,
estate being scqnes,ra;cd, was living abroad
in g'eat indulgence and misery.
Theodore, who believed herself Tie
daughter of these good pcoplp, increased
daily in sense and beauty. In her sixteenth
year, the son Of a rcsid'n, in the noi.Lhor-
hood, who, N he capacity of steward TO the
estates ofa Pa!rrmi,aM nohlcman, had a,nas-
srd considerable property, hrcamr cna-
morcd of her. This Young man, who was
called Antonio, co,Ging in lis fathers
wealth, gave himself in 40 way inferior 10
any gentleman in the country; such char
acter was by u" means cougrnial 10 the
mild disposition Of Tirodora, WHO showed
great repus narce TO match w;,h lin, not
tandng its arparcn advantages.
I, happened about this time, that IA Gnan-
cicr, or revenue farmer, a person Of great
opulencc, came TO pass the summer months
in the vicinity: he was accompanied lly his
wife, and her nephew. That young GENTLE
man accidentally meeting wiki Theodore
was struck with appearance of much beauty
in so retired situation, and frIl violently in
love with her. His manner, so different from
those of her rustic admirrr, soon gained
upon her affections; as he protested an hon
orable attachment, he found frequent oppor-
tuni,ics Of procuring interviews with her,
which did not long escape the Jealous vigil
lance of Antonio, WHO, now despai,ng of
success by other means, resolved on carrying
her off by force from this p,o favored
lover. Having one evening watched them
10 the place Of meeting, coming on them
Unexpectedly, he boldly attacked his rival
sword in hand the other defended himself
with courage, but being inferior in strength
and dexteruy was obliged to yield tic palm
10 his antagonist, who having wounded and
dsarmed him, bore off his fair prize before
his eyes. The vanquished champion, who
was not seriously hurt, left the spot sufficient
ly mortified and afflicted.
Parties were sent of in all directions in
pursuit Of this rustic Paris, who, not deem
ing his Helen secure in the house of his faith
or. was in search of another asylum, accom-
panied by six of his !aborers, well mounted
and armed, TO defend him in case of neccsi-
". They had not proceeded lar when they
fell in with a superior party of police moth
ilg daunled, the young countryman deter
mined on resistance. and causing the alright
ed Theodore to be placed in ncighborng
cavern, out of danger, Instantly advanced to
Ire attack. IN the interim Throdora's nurse
alarmed for ,ic safety of her foster dauell-
ter, following the track of the rayishcr, arri-
we'd during the engagement at the cavern,
into witch she fed for rcingc-lhcre she
found her young charge. Their attempt tc
tscdI'C was pitNtH'tH ~ tic NHldgc nero
who cent two Of his companions TO reposscs,
themselves of the person of his Mistress
When the old lady saw the men advancing
she made Theodore conceal herself farther
within the cave, and presenting herself to
them in her stead, was, as it was now daik
without being recognized, placed on horse.
back, behind one of them, and fairly carrieo
of. Theodore, as soon As they were zone
made the best OF her way to the village
which was nearer than her own hahi,a,iop
and, in her anxiety for her lover, forge,,in,
all other considerations, FASTENED To H.,
house Of the Gnancicr, supposng be miph
be acquaicted with the accident which ha,
beia!!en his nephew, 10 inform linn of III,
circumstance, and bcsecch lis proteclio,
against the future attempts Of the brutal An
tonic. The financier received her with erca
cOmplacrncy, and recommended her to I'll,
care Of his lady, who, aware of the ailtc
tion Of his nephew for the young woman
resolved not TO let so favorable an opporiu
my escape for preventing him from dishon,
oring as she supposed, the family by so mea,
match. Under preience of sending The
unfortunate girl to her parents. she psiva.el,