Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-09-13
DartGtn.
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Adela.

Adela.
happened to be residing at Naples dur
inc the reaction and prescriptions which
succeeded the return of Ferdinand after
the revolutionary crisis of 1899. Many of
the victims were denounced by the priests
as much for their suspected heresy as their
reasonable practice. Father Don AIyez
was particularly active in this "pious work"
lie was young member of a Castian
house, and had been bred in the strictest
discipline Of the Jesuits. He had spent
his life in penances and intrigues, the for
mer, | presume, TO give him kecner REL
ish for the latter, and the latter to compen.
safe for the tedum of the former. At the
time | knew him. he was past the middle
age, his features were already wrnkIed
with years, but were marked by that haugh.
ty and cruel expression so apt to be pro-
duced by the indulgence of arbitrary pow
err IL had come to Naples with HIGH
recommendations to the court, to assist in
purgng the city of the disatIected. His
diligence in this pursuit was truly beyond
parallel. am yet unable to conceive by
what process he became so minutely con-
versant with the previous history of such
an immense number of persons in so short
a time. His information was never at fault,
and his measures very rarely thwarted by
miscalculation either in design or execution.
As soon as he had made himself master of
suspected person, he did not at once act
upon his evidence to bring about an in
slant infection of punishment, but used to
give the prisoner the benefit Of dogmat-
ical exposition Of what he called CHE sal
walton of the holy church." If this had
the desired effect, after little longer con-
fnement, the captive was delberated on
his good behavior, But if the hereto per-
severed in his rejection Of the prescribed
process, he was forthwith handed over to
the headsman.
The society in which moved made me
acquainted with Father Don Alvez, ] was
then young and fond of adventure, and
very naturally conceived a strong desire OF
visiting with him some of the unfortunates
whom the police were constantly arresting
by his orders. BY practising some courte
Gus assduities, as well as little flatery,
ingratated myself with him, and obtained
permission to accompany him on his dis
nal visits to the prison.
After visiting one or two cells, in which
we found inmates quite willing to believe
anything and everything which my guide
thought proper to PROFOUND, we entered a
narrow dismal hole, surrounded by walls
down which the damp trickled almost in a
stream, and with the floor composed of
granite of uneven surface and sharp edges
The torch carried by our attendant dis
covered handle of straw in the corner
iathest from the door, and resting upon it
young girl. Don Alvez motoned to the
jailor to withdraw The creaking of the
hinges disturbed the prisoner She star
ted from her recumbent posture, but her
eyes had been 10 long accustomed to dark.
ness to endure the torchlight. She arran-
ged her disordered hair and clothing as
fast and completely as she could, and when
at length she ventured to scrutinise her
visitors, | marked the deep crimson that
sun'lsed her face and bosom.
had been accustomed to behold the ex.
ceeding beauty Of the women of Spain anl
Italy, but when saw this unfortunate cap
tive, felt at once that had never mel
with any one whose loveiness was so per
feet When saw that she was a Greek
and bore in every lineament the impress Of
her cline and nation, need not attempt q
description.
Don Alvez hal told me, previous to en-
terng the cell, that it contained hereto
who had been some time under conine
ment, and appeared resolved to reject every
chance of Salvation" "This," he added
"is the last opportunity OF repentance
shall give her"
These words still echoed in my ears as
contemplated the stern front of the Jesuit
and the penslve innocence of the Greel
maiden.
"Perverse childW commenced Don AL
vez; II have come once more to offer tn
liberty, and the favor of the Virgin, if tho
wilt embrace the holy faith"
Adea so the jalor had whispered m
she was calIed) had now sat down on he
coarse bed, and, hands folded on her hos
ON, seemed prepared for any calamit
which might await her. She returned n
answer to the priests observation.
"What p continued he; "dost tho
treat with contempt the servant of tn
church? Mark me, perverse infidel.-
Thy fate is in thy own hands. Thy death
| swear by all the blessed saints, shall b
the penalty if thou persistest in thy unbc