Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1848-10-05
The Painters Daughter.
BY N M1rcHELL, AUTHOR OF THE 'rRADucED.

national freedom that history records, may
be named the revolt in the Low Countries
against the tyrant and bigot Phrfip Ii o,
Spain; and which, after the formation OF
the memorable league of Utrecht, ended in
'he recognized independence If the United
Provinces. The persecution of the Pro,es
tan,s in The Netherlands had commenced.
and The a,roct es committed by he bloody
minded Alva. Philips fauTite General had
already iven many towns TO open rebel
lion; some Of these dehed the utmost exer-
tons of the Spanish arms, but Others were
sacked, and every cruelty that religious Ca-
na'cism, as well us secular vengeance could
devise, was committed upon the Inhabitants
Harlem had been invested for nearly
yea', and the patriotism of the Stout hun Oh :
ers was only equalled by the sufferiags they
endured. arising from famine and d sease
! Within this city lived painter whose fate
with that OF his devoted daughter, forms the
subject Of this sketch. liotheck for some
years had been unable TO prosecnre his arr.
for close attention had induced complaint
of the eye, and al last he was stricken with
blindness. The protrac'ed siege was draw
ing 10 close, for the town was unable to
hold out longer, when EIolbeck, feeble and
in sickness, lay stretched upon his pallet.
lie was in extreme poverty and in state
of things when the gold Of the wealthy fail
ell 10 procure the nece>saries of life. it NAV
be presumed that il faircd but i'll with the
needy. In truth, the painter was st irving !;
every thing that could be made available 10
satisfy the cravings Of Lature. had heen de-
vo"re.:, and now he had only 10 curse the
enemies of his country, and die.
By his bed side, watching his worn and
withered features, " Young girl was seated !:
her age might have been sixteen. She was
one Of those beauties whose characteristics
are genlleness and delicacy her locks,
glossy and golden. streamed over her Shouts
ders like waterfall seen in the suaset : and
her eyes had that peculiarly soft and melt
ing light which hespeaks a heart all love
and tenderness.
The exquisite beauty or that girl seemed
hat i'll sai.cd 10 the squalor and the air Of
wreIchedne>s which pervaded tie place vet
there she watched the dehil'tated a nj strick>
en- old man-for The blind painter of Har>
lem was her father.
| Ia -
only being who had lot desered him in the
dim and destlate winte. Of his years. The
enthusiasm. and the love which once harm.
ed in his heart iot the creation 0t his fancy
were now transferred to the child She was
more worshipped than saint or virginia
bright bow spaa ling the cloud Of his despair.
lie could no, behold her lowell ness, now de-
veIoping irelf into womanhood. but he
could hear her voice, and that voice mur>
nured 10 him music as il il came from Par.
adise. summoning up thoughts of all pure,
bright and beautiful things.
"Pauline." said the painter, family, "is
il indeed true thai The G vernon has cap,u
AYES, father; can you not hear their
shouts ?"
The sick man raised his head in The at,
tiludc Of listening; his siga,less orhs were
directed 10 the spot where he knew his
daughter was seated the muscles of his
face were convul>ed. and the dew of terror
| >tnod ,.nnn hiS forshaad
"They Gomez" he cred; 81 can hear fly
ing steps, The shoals of savage soldiery, and
the shrieks Of women!"
"Father, do not fear; our habitntion has
too mean an appearance 10 tempt the cupi-
dry OF soldiers"
IL know uot thai; there are other treas
ures here more vaIaable-at least 10 me-
than silver or gold. Haste thee, Pauline,
and secure the doorv
The girl obeyed her parents command and
passed bar Of iron across The low oaken
door; yet this verv precauiion. and the ap>
pearauce of Strength which the dingy house
exhibited, proved its worse fe-guard and
was the means Of bringing ruin upon its &C.
cupants.
"Thauk thee, Pauline and now I will
pray 10 God for thy safety. 1t matters little
what happens unto me the sands Of my life
ate nearly run, and II they kin me, shall
bu, 60 to my long home little earlier than
age aud disease might have carried me, -
and the old man clasped his haads and
seemed in feryen. prayer.
The shouts Of the Spanish soldiers sound
ed more near Exaspeia,ed by the long de-
fence which the city had made. they were
determined on takirg signal revenge on the
inha bilaniS. Men and womea were now
rushing up the obscure street in which Hol-
beck resided. With an intcs1ion, apparently.
al shelierng themselves in their houses -
II Even n larnn waa wieihl@ no$v ma the (nun.