The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-10-22
THE NUNS DOOM.
BY n. syMmEs.

Near the town Of Asper.ia in the roman.
tic land Of Spain, stands large square dark
looking house, with nothing 10 relieve the
barrenness Of the high walls, but few
holes with gralings. and which bears the
appearance rather Of loopholes than win.
dows, 1t is scarce strong enough 10 be Q
prison, nor does it resemble a convent, from
The absence Of steeple The suPers.ruc,,
ure. which is in reality however, a nunnery
crowns an eminence at the centre Of the
town. There 10 something SO gloomy
about the tower-something so full Of va
que and awful mystery, that l shuddered
involuntarily when beheId ii, and when
sometime afterwards, came 10 learn one
Of the deeds which those gloomy walls had
witnessed, l was almost tempted TO believe
IN supernatural influences, so vague and
chill had been the emotion ofhuror which
l felt o" benoIdlng that antique building
for the FIRST time. The story was related
TO me by an old lady, who in her youth
had been an inmate Of this convent for
many years. Never shall forget the
tone and gesture with which she spoke as
follows:
There was lady in our convent, who,
during the two years tnat had elapsed since
her arrival, had scarcely exchanged word
with any Of the other nuns. She remained
cons,an,Iy secluded in her cell, excepting
when summoned by The tolling of the bell
to join in the devotions of the community
ir the choir. She was Stunned and --s~id
ed by most of the nuns.~iio generally sup
posed .eme terrible crime oppressed her
conscience for a calm and gloomy despair sa,
upon her pale brow, and gave wild, yet
melancholy expression TO her beautiful and
digniGed features. Her figure was lofty
ard noble, but enacia.ed by suferings.--
Her prayers and religious duties we've o
repeated and performed with unusual for
vor.
Often had remarked, with feelings Of
commiseration, her wasted form thrown in.
TO an stltuded of humble and earnest cup.
pication; her pale, though beautiful feature
formed into an expressions of the most poig-
nani grief; her eyes raised 10 Heaven and
dim ned by burning tears Thus she would
long renain, with her arms crossed upon
her breast, and mo.lonless as a statue with
the exception of d convusive quivering of
her lips. Suddenly she would throw her.
self upon the ground in paroxysm Of des-
pair, and sob aloud, pronouncing some mar
.iculate words, as if complaining Of her
total incapacily TO quell the fearful tempest
raised wi'h'o her breast by the conflict of
opposed and unconquefao,e feelings. Again
would she strive to raise her heart to God;
bu, in vain. She found no reiefin prayers;
and. in hel utter hopelessness, finding that
even Religion could not mitigate her tor.
ments, she fell exhausted, and she extended
her bosom ard invoking death 10 put an
end 10 her miserable and wreIched exist.
ence.
'CompsssiopAhng her suffe,ings. I es-
sayed 10 offer her some consolation. She
was moved by the sincere expression Of my
pity, and perceived tina, | also was unfortu
nste.'
The similarity Of our feelings and mis-
insiinc,ively drew usa towards
each other, and soon gained her friendship
aud learnt the cause of her grief
Her name was Amelia; she was the
daughter of the Couh, B--Her crime
had been the forming of a strong s,tachmet
towards young officer in the army, aman
of stric. honor and principle, but whose
family and prospect were unfortunately be-
meath the notice of the pround Count of
B. who would have thought himself
by such an alliance. He forbid
his daughter to speak, to her lover, OF even
to think of him, she entreated, he s!ernly
repeated his commands and left her; he was
disobsyed; the enraged count brought her 10
the convent. and forced her 10 take the