Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-11-22

upon the priest, who was lavishing upon this
man, the only one who was no, to die, all the
consultations of religion. The cxecu,ioncr
understood, as did everybody that Juan,o
had accepted his place for single dav. The
old marquis and his wife, Clara, Mariqui,a,
and his two brothers. came to kneel down a,
few steps from the fatal spot. Juanto was
led by the priest. When he reached the
block, the cxecutioner, pulling him by the
sleeve, took him aside, and probably gave
him some Instructions.
The confessor placed the victims so tina,
they might not see the execution: but they
were true Spaniards they held themselves
erect and firm.
Clara rushed forward the first towards her
brother. Juanto,' she said to him, 'havc
pity on my want of courage. Begin with
me-
Al that moment the hasty steps of man
we're heard approaching. Victor arrived
on the spot ofthis scene. Clara was already
on her knees, and already her white neck in
vited the scimcter. The officer grew pale,
bu, he found strength to hasten up to her.
'Stop!' he said; 'thc General grants your
life you will be my WIFE
The Spanish girl flashed upon the officer
glance of scorn. Come, Jnanio!' she
said in deep tone voice.
Her head rolled at Victors feet; and the
Marchoness de Leganes suffered n convul-
sive movement to escape her, as she heard
the heavy sound of the scimeter it was tive
only indication Other feelings
Am | right this way, dear Juanito 2 was
little Raphael's inquiry of his brother.
'Ah yon weep, Marquita = said Juani-
to to his sister.
'Oh yes!' answered the young girl; i
am thinking of you, poor Juanito. All
how unhappy you are going to be without us.
Presently appeared the tall figure of the
Marqui,; he looked at the blood Of his chill.
dren; he turned towards the mute and mo.
iionless spectators lie stretched ont his hand
towards Jnanto. and said with n strong
voice:
'Spaniards bcs,ow upon my son my
pa,ernal blessing May it ever he with him
Now, Marquis, strike without fear, as 20,
are without reproach.'
But when Juanito bcleld his mother ap.
proach. supported by the confessor:
'She nourished mo = he cried, and hi.
voice wrung a cry Of horror from the assem-.
bly,. The noise of the feast, and the ga,
laughter of the officers, were hushcd at tina
fearful cry.
The Marchioness, comprehendng tia
Juan,o's strength was exhausted, sprung a
bound over the ba!ustrade, plunging dowr
TO be crushed to death upon the rocks. A
cry Of admiration arose. Juanito had fallel
in a swoon.
General said an officer, half intoxicated
'Marchand has Just been telling me abou
,ha, execution. bet that YOU did not com
mand it,
Do you forget, gentlemen exclaimed
General c., that in month five hun
dred French families will be in tears, ant
that we are in Spain Do you want to leav,
our bones here 2
After this speech not single officer wa
iound-not even sous-lleutenant--wh
dared to empty his glass.
notwithstanding all the respect with whcl
he is surronnded--notwiihs,andng the it'll
of Ell NERDUGo,* with which the King o
Spain is said TO have enriched the hame o
the Marquis de Leganes, he remains a pre-,
to grief, living in solitude, and rarely allow
ing himself to be seen. Bowed down be
meath the burden Of his sublime crime, n,
seems to await with impotence the tim,
when the birth ola second son will give hin
the right TO rejoIn the shadows by whom h,
walks forever surrounded.
+El VcRpuGo-lhe Fyecutioner'