The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-25
The Cenviet's Daughter.

81 know all men hate my father;
And therefore, Javan, must his daughters love:
Her dutiful, her deep, her fervent love-
Make up 10 his folorn and desolaie heart
The forfeited affections of his Eind."-MIxAS.
The following narrative is borrowed
from the interesting work Of M. Mau-
rice Alloy on the convict prisons Of
France
." II is now some years, says this writer,
"since passed several months in the town
of Rochefor. 1t became my daily habit
to walk in the gloomy avenues of the pub
lie garden, and there ! used to watch the
convicts as they worked in pairs. carrying
heavy burdens, and gladly purchasing, by
the performance OF the most laborious
tasks, the favor Of being allowed to escape
for few hours from the residential atmos-
phere Of the prison. / had remarked a
young girl who passed before me several
times, casting an anxious and longing look
towards the building in which the ropeworks
were carried on. The young girl wore the
Vendean costume. She seated herself up
on bench under the trees, and remained
apparently lost in thought | approached
and recognized her. | had seen her the
preceding evening at the house Of the gate
keeper, and had then been informed of the
object Of her journey. The young girl
was engaged to be married, and her father
was in the convict prison. EUROPE, the
peasant to whom she was betrothed,
was acquainted with the guilt of his fu-
ture falher-in-law, for the same village
had been their home. He was conscious
how much be might lose in the esteem of
others by marrying the daughter Of con-
vict; but Tienneue was beloved, and Eu-
tropics affection for her made him shut his
eyes to the possibility that any painful result
might arise from their union.
"He wished TO marry the companion Of
bis childhood; but he desired that this faith
er, who in the eyes Of the law was dead,
who had no longer any right over his
daughter, and whose remembrance il was
well to Danish, should no more be spoken
of. Tiennette loved her father, and the
contempt with which others regarded the
author Of her days, only redoubled the fond
affection of his daughter She was desir-
Gus that he should sign her marriage con-
tract, and bestow upon her fathers bless
ing. EUROPE had long resisted this wish Of
Tiennette; he still objected to the step
she proposed to take; and it was with un-
willing heart he undertook with her the
journey TO Rochefor. EUROPE was well
looking youth, with frank and open man.
ners, and Of progressing appearance. 1t
was not long before he joined US, after ma
king some purchases which had detained
him for a time from his betrothed.
4 took upon myself to interpret to him
my wishes Of Tiennette. | told EUROPE
that father is never guilty in the eyes Of
his daughter; that no laws, judges or juries
can unloose the ties Of nature; and that the
flial piety Of Tiennette ought to be con-
sidered by him as a precious pledge Of the
virtues Of his future wife The girl did not
speak, but her eyes were fastened on the
counlenance Of EUROPE. She watched its
every movement, as if to gather from them
his acquiescence in her desire. EUROPE lis
tened to me with his eyes fixed upon the
ground. When had done speaking, he
made me no reply, offered no objection, but
took the arm Of Tiennette within his. own,
and together the young couple turned their
steps towards the prison. | followed them,
and the poor girl, who seemed to consider
my presence as useful in confirming the va
cillating resolutions Of her lover, encour-
aged me by her looks to remain with them.
We found on our arrival that the aged con-
vict had been i'll for some days. he was no
longer in the prison, but had been convey.
ed to the hospital. We silently traversed
the long court, and mounted the staircase.
When we reached the entrance of the
wards, the young girl trembled violently,
her cheeks became deadly pale, and heI
heart seemed to sink within her. EUROPE
and Tiennette were permitted to approach the
prisoners bed; but | was refused adnnittanct
by the turnkey, and could only SEQ from q
distance the remainder OF this touching scene.
At the foot Of the convict's bed stood Eu.
trope, whilst Tiennette approached her ia.
ther with an expression Of fearfulness which
she yainly strove to conceal. He raised his
lsnguid head, turned his dimmed eye upon
his child, and faint smile passed over bis