The North-Carolina standard., 1848-01-26

A FEARFUL TRAGEDY.

On the evening of May 10, two American officers
belonging to some volunteer corps, attended the cahe-
dra, where certain services were held apPertaning
to the at the convent of San Francis situated
in the western part of the city. The cathedral
filled, usual with large crowd of the faithful,
and at the conclusion of the ceremonies, when they
were dispensing, the two officers fingered in the
church, gazing at the expensive ornaments. AS they
were also in the act of retiring, nun, who remain
ed behind the of the sisterhood, made sign to
the officer, who slowly following his comrade,
that she desired to speak to him. Returning to the
nun, dialogue ensued, in substance follows:
Y on are an American?'
Il am madam, and but recently from the land of
Yankees
Il presume, sir, you are man of honor and dis
'Those qualities, added to courage, make up the
composition of an American soldier
Are you willing to render important services!
'You have but to command me-
Il will not conceal from you that the service ask
your hands requires not only discretion, but
ordinary intrepidity. Knowing this, are you willing
to assist me g
very well; when you hear the convent bell strike
twelve tonight be at the side gate shall be there
to open it, and on your knocking three times, you
shall learn what it is 1 require of you Will you be
faithful to the rendezvous!'
/ shall be faithful if ive'
"Well, will depend upon you. Adieu.'
They parted, and the officer rejoinng his compan-
ion, they pursued their way to the American quar-
him if he should fulfil the appointment
The other advised him to do 80, by all means, and,
for fear of accidents offered to accompany him to
the gate at the appointed hour.
Supposing the affair to end in of those in
nocent adventures common in Mexico, and taking
it for granted that the lady had been suddenly struck
with his personal appearance, the officer, with his
companion, repaired to the gate, according agree
ment and, upon giving the concerted signal, the
trance was opened by the nun. The chosen officer
entered, without the least apprehension of fear, and
was saluted by the
You truly of courage and honor, and
are entitled to my warmest gratitude
After conducting him to her cell, where lamp
was burning, she politely invited him to sit down,
and producing two bottles, requested him to take
glass of wine with her-a request which man and
soldier is not apt to treat with Indifference. Filling
him glass out of one bottle, she took little her
self out of the other and, after he had finished his,
she told him to go to the opposite side of the bed
from herself. The officer, still innocent, obeyed,
when the nun addressed him -
well, all alone. Is my door bolted
Look
amazement, she discovered to him the dead body of
monk, whose clothes were stiff and matted with
blood, while she continued
The favor require is that you take this body on
your shoulders and convey beyond the gates of the
convent. 1 will light you to the gate of the first
court. Obey instantly, your life shall be in peril
for if you attempt to escape, will shoot you
through the head
sAnd suiting the action to the word, she drew
pistol from her bosom and presented it at him.
1 KNOW added she, that my life will be
forfeited, for, after despatehing you, have ponard
for myselEthe with which stabbed that
miserable monk!'
Seeing noe other means of escape, the officer took
up the body and, accompanied by the nun, who car
ried dark lantern, proceeded to the gate by which
he had entered, and, issuing from it, threw down
his horrible burden at the feet of his comrade who
wa: waiting to enjoy laugh at what they had both
imagined would terminate in pious love intrigue.
After recountng to his friend the almost incredible
adventure in which he had been engaged, they both
resolved to communicate the circumstance to Gen.
Worth in person but they had proceeded only
short distance from the convent when the officer who
had brought out the body began to complain of the
most violent and excruciating, pains. He fell
upon the pavement and expired.
Donovon's .4dventures an Merico.