Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-06-20
A TALE OF CLENrus0,

1
| tine Republic.1
II is now abou, three years since some per.
sons from Buenos Ayres went to England. car.
rying with them specimens Of ore from certain
valuable mines in the province and vicinity of
Ricja. Thcee mines they represented Is be.
longing to them; and by operating with persons
on this side, they succeeded in disposing Of them
for immense sums ofmoney. The English pur.
chasers formed joint association, and sen. ou,
men and machinery. but on their arrival,
they discovered that they had been duped
into the purchase of land belonging to the gov.
eminent. Quiroga, who was then Governor OF
the province, was applied to, and finding that
there might be possibility Of turning their op.
eratons to his own account, gave them pcrmi.
sion to work the mines, but Withheld the title Of
possession. They accordingly proceeded with
their work, expendinc large sums as they pro.
gressed, until their all was staked in this one
enterprise. They had begun to reap a realza.
tion oftheir hopes from the product Of the mines,
when Quirosa commenced throwing obstacles
in their way. and exactng large amounts for
the privilege that he had granted them, fog.
ging and even imprsoning the workmen. and
annoying them to such degree that at length
the operations were suspended. and the whole
company became totally ruined. There wa.
no means Of redress, and those who could get
the means returned to Europe; but there were
many who were compelled by necessity to re.
main and among those were two Germsns
whose Christian names were Frederick and
Wilhelm. These two were devotedIy attach.
ed to each other, and might always be seen to.
gether, sharing their means and striving for
each others comfort and enjoyment.
Tyrants are always suspicious Of those about
them and Quiroga, to be in the fashion, imaci.
ned that conspiracy was on foot against his
life, Many persons were arrested under this
suspicion and ss he knew that none could be
moro likely to entertain. hatred toward him
than the poor foreigners whom he had ruined,
our friend Wilhelm was arrested and imprison.
ed with the rest. Fredrick pleaded the limo.
cence Of his friend, and begged his release.
Quroga only smiled and told him that he
wasted his words. The poor fellow became al.
most distracted ; and in this state Of mind was
one morning informed that his friend was to be
shot in the afternoon. Those who knew him
feared that this announcement would drive
him 10 madness; but it was no sooner made to
him. than change ofa very different nature
came over his mind in an instant. lie hac en-.
treated, worried and fretted himself into fe.
verish excitement. going from person TO person.
and from place 10 place. to obtain influence, and
often, to> with tears in his eyes; ye, oil had
been without avail But when he heard the ir.
revocable sentence Of death, . deliberate calm
seemed to take possession OF his soul and with
il came, as will be seen. a settled determine.
,ion to save his friend, even at the sacrifice OF
his own life.
He Immediately procured fee, horse. and
riding TO the guard. house, where Wilhelm was
confined, and which stood near The Residence of
Quroga, he dismounted, and leaving his horse
with the captain OF the guard. said calmly
Captain, am going to the Governor to oh.
tain q reprieve for my friend should the Go.
vernon send an order to that effect, you will
please give him my horse.
Having obtained a promise Of compliance,
he proceeded to the house of Qurogs, and pass.
sing the guard at the entrance, found HIM a..
lone.
Governor he said. you may know the oh.
ject Of my visit. it is to intercede once more for
my friend. You have been misnfor,ned res.
Pecting him; he is not capable of joining in any
conspiracy. and is innocen, Of this charge. ! beg
you to release him.
Quiroga looked upon him, and with an infer.
nal smile said
You must forget your friend he has but a
few hours to live. Do you not know that
when condemn man seldom fotgive hint
But he is my old friendr exclaimed the
poor fellow, falling upon his knees and bursting
into tears; 'hc is my old friend! and il you kill
him YOU kill me. Senor senor he is inca pa.
BILE Of this act tie has not the heart! he
has not the power! Even now he canno, spesk k
the Spanish language. Senor ! l entrest you,
spare him.
If he does not understand the Spanish Ian.
guags, said the co!d.blooded tyrant, he will
not need 10 learn it now. Go-leave me; you
can say nothing that will alter my determine.
tion. or save his life.'
is 1t 90. Monster! exclaimed Frederick
'Prnging to his feet. and levelling pistol a. the
very breast of Quiroga. Speak one word and
you die! ] hsve come to libera,s my friend
and I will do il: