Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1844-12-14


lag narrative.
CHAPTER II.
"Francis, the unfortunate child Of
my love was the only of eight left to
his parents hopes. And he bid fair to
realize all the expectations which pride
and ambition freely encouraged. The
utmost pains were taken with his cdu-
cation, and no weak indulgence frus-
trated the efforts of competent and ju-
dicious instructors. From some of the
most distinguished minds of the day ]
received compliments and congratula-
tons upon the rare merits of my son.
I" When he was twenty-one, the
death of my beloved wife threw the
dark shadow of blightcd hope over the
brilliant future we had too surely cal
culated upon. This event sank my
son in gloom so profound that it threat
ened to destroy his fine mind altogeth-
or. For his sake, l aroused myself, and
determined to make every exertion to
restore him to peace. l travelled two
years with him, visited all the cities OF
your native country, explored its vast
forests, and bowed, in PROSTATE ador-
alton of the might Of Nature, at the
Falls of Niagara.
1--WE returned, soothed in mind and
improved in health. My son, soon left
me for Italy, to benefit himself by far
Their travel. He made a brief TOUR
through the country, and returned to
Rome to revel, for n time, amid its
classic scenes and glorious monuments
of art.
ellis introductions procured him adj
mittance into the houses of the literary
and the noble.
"At the Duke of RS, he became a
great favorite, and was invited to all his
entertainments, which was no little
distinction, considering that he was
one of the first noblemen of Rome.
"He there met young girl OF ex-
cecding beauty, who was recognized
as a relative of the Dukes, mingled
with his family as such. She was full
Of genius and poetry, and surpassed. in
vocal powers, some Of the first sing
ers of the day. Such creature could
not fail to attract universal admiration.
My son soon joined his homage to the
rest, and became, in a short time, the
slave of her charms, Having made
known his feelings to the object ofthcm,
he presumed so far upon the favor of
the Duke as to request his sanction,
but was treated with insult and scorn
in consequence, and denied access to
the house.
"'I now coursed my imprudence,'
q will give you the words Of his nara
tive, found in his own dairy, continued
the old man, for being so precipitatc.
When left the palace, in sorrow and
despair, was accosted by the lady
CoDstantia's maid, from whom ] re-
ceivcd a promise that she would send a
messenger to inform me ofwbat should
occur at home, and to convey my com
munications to her mistress. Slipping
a costly ring upon her finger, ] hasten
Cd to my lodgings, to vent my love
and disquiet, in letter which the
prompt appearance Of servant enar
bled me to send TO the object of my
tenderness.
1.-the next morning / received a
reply from Annette, informing me that
Constantia was exceedingyill, and beg
ging that / would not venture to make
my appearance at the palace for fear OF
serious consequences. She promised,
moreover TO send me daily intelligence,
In her next, she informed me that
when she returned home, on the morn
ing Of her rencontre with me in the
street, she found that the Duke had
been to the apartment OF bis ward,
venting his wrathful indignation upon
her, and had given orders that she
should not leave the room, to which
she had been confined by illness ever
s.nce that she was in very low state,
utterly neglected by the Duke, who
had not once sent to inquire after her
health.
"'This intelligence drove me al
most frantic but it was impossible for
me to do anything. ] could not brave
so powerful noblcman in his own
house. ] only loitercd about the pal
acc, inquiring Of the servants, as they