Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-08-28


1t was the still hour of midnight, anc
Gen. Rosas was in his private chamber
seated beside table filed with papers ant
documents, now reading and signing one
then another. Yes, while his people were
enjoying the quiet rest which nature de
mands, he, the greatest among them, wal
toiling for their benefit, laboring both il
mind and body for their good.
His daughter was beside him, busily en-.
gagged in copying private letter for her
father, but started, as gentle tap at the
door announced visitor.
"Who is therel" said the stern General
as he laid his hand upon richly mounted
weapon which lay near him.
"The sentinelW was the answer in low
respectful tone.
"What is wanted?"
81 bear a present for your excellency
which has just been left with strict orders
to be delivered to your exceIlency alone"
"Enterl this, methinks, is strange hour
for present. From whom doth it comet"
Il know not, your ExceIlency," said the
soldier as he laid neat, square box of
rosewood upon the table, and placing the
key on the card which was fastened on its
top, departed.
open it, daughter, have not tme," said
the General, as he again turned his eyes to
a military report which he was reading.
ooh, l know who it is from 1t is in his
handwriting" exclaimed she, as she glanced
at the card upon its top. "Oh, what pres.
ent could he have destined for the father
of her whom he lowest"
"He, whom, daughter!"
"Father, the superscription on this card
is in the well known hand writing of the
brave cavalier, Don Edvardo Escudero, and
he has in this delicate way sent you some
kingly present, I'll warrant mel"
"Well, well, open the box, my child, and
satisfy your curiosity"
The lady took the key and turned it in
the lock, but as she raised the lid the report
of a volley of pistols almost deafened her,
and with one wild scream she reeled, and
fainting, fell to the floor, amid cloud of
smoke from the now open box.
In an instant the President sprang to her
side.
"Oh, God! my daughter is slain!' said he
in agony-but his heart was cheered again
as she spoke.
"No-no, not slain my father, but he
ne would have slain you to win mel" and
again she tainted. By this time the room
was filled with soldiers and officers, drawn
hither by the report Of arms, and a hasty
examination of the Internal machine. for
such it was, explained the plot against the
Generals life; row of loaded pistols had
been 50 placed along the box that any one
standing in front of it to open it. would re-
2eive the contents in his body. Ii had been
'ent to Rosas, at this late hour, in expecta-
ion that he would open it himself.
Narrow had been the escape of the
laughter. She had stood beside, instead of
n front of the box when she opened it,
,ut the fair hand which her lover had kiss
ID but so shortly before. was now stained
n several places with blood where the balls
lad grazed it, her arms and laced sleeves
we're blackened with the smoke, but worse
han all was the wound her pure heart had
eceived, in the discovery of this horrid
ttempt upon her fathers life, by one
whom she loved and trusted, and who
would have made her an orphan to hasten
Ter marriage. But she had named him to
Ter father, and within one hour after the
discovery of the plot, Edvardo Escudero
vas arragned before drum head court
martial. Her danger, confession, and the
discovery of his handwriting, had so
brown him off his guard. that when inter-
ogated he made no denial. Brief was
he trial. He was sentenced TO be shot on
he Retro, or military Plaza, at sunrise.
With naughty composure he heard his sem
ence, for he yet dreamed she-she who
vas all powerful with her father, loved,
nd would intercede for, and save him.
But he knew not her high, stern sense
# duty, if he thought that love and pity
would have pardoned him who would have
murdered her father. In vain he sent to
eek an interview with her. Her answer
o his message was brief, but she would
eign no other.
"Tell him to ask Gods mcrcy--there is
zone for him on earth No, not were he
ny brother"
And when at the mornings first light, the
weeping mother and sister of the condemn
d knelt at her feet and prayed for one
word of intercession, for they knew that
ven yet she could save the son and broth
r, if she would but ask his life of her faith
r,) when in the agony of their souls they
poke of his youth-beauty--and bravery
all now about TO be buried in the tomb
# disgrace, with a cold, stern look, as if
Ter innermost veins were frozen, she an
wered:--
"He would have made me fatherlessp
And while in that energy of despair that
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