The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-01-16

elm, tolled the signal that a fellow-mortal had
ceased to be numbered with the living That
sound, even in the gayest metropolis, is seldom
heard without emotion. In that little village on
the confines of civilization, every knell sent its
deep and solemn tones to the heart The knell
was succeeded by the ell-known summons to
take hours to prayer. No expensive toilet was
known in that region of Arcadian simplicity, and
the villagers prompted alike by curiosity and de-
votion, were soon collected. Presently coffin
of the rudest construction, borne by four Indian
servants, was deposited in the middle of the
church. Every eye was turned towards it.
The priest drew near, and after momentary
pause, removed the lid. Here, said he, 'here,
my brethren, are deposited the remains of the
Spectre Huntcr!' An involuntary shuddering
spoke the feelings of his audience. Start not
with horror, my brethren, for though great sim
ner, he was mortal like yourselves, and oh,
may each of you, in the last sad hour of life, be
as repentant as he was. The tenant ofthat coffin
rude and humble as it is, was one of the highest
Grandees of Spain. Born to princely wealth,
and descended from long line of ancestors, in
whose veins have flowed the blood of Castilian
sovereign, he seemed elevated above the reach
of calamity, and the path of his life destined to
be one bright tract of sunshine. Long trains of
servants stood in his hall, to swell the pomp Of
his state, and to anticipate his every want. Gen
many high-born damsel sighed at his name,
and no Spaniard below the throne but would
have been honorcd by an alliance with his house.
But the maid who won his hand possessed no
rank but that of heart most amable most tender,
and most true; and the nightly serenades of the
minstrels under the windows of their castle, told
of their happiness.
For more than year their lives passed on
waveless as summer lake, and wealth, and
rank, and youth, flung an clysium around them
At that period Isabella, his only sister, left the
convent where she had been educated, to reside
with her brother. Playful as fawn, and ardent
y attached to her brother and sister, her presence
added new charm to the society of the castle
She had not long resided with them, before Don
Manuel, her brother, was called to visit his
estates in the province of Andalusia The idea
of this separation was the first cloud that ever
cast a shade over their happiness His wife
and sister fondly hung around him. and almost
regretted the possession of the rich and extensive
domain that deprived them, even for SO short
PERIOD of one so dear to them both. With many
adlcus and many promises that he wonld hasten
his return to the home which his absence would
render so unhappy, he set out on his Journey
He had passed but few leagues beyond the
walls of Madrid before he met his agent, and af-
ter some delay, happily accomplished the object
OF his journey. 1t was night when he re enter
ed the city. He left his carriage in the care of
his servants, and proceeded on foot to the castle
10 enjoy the agreeable surprise which his unex-
pected return would excite, he commanded his
servants to be silent, and assembled cautiously to
the chamber of his wife and sister. The door
was half open, and judge his establishment at be-
holding cavalier, kneelng at the feet of his
wife, who manifested by her smiles that his ar
dent addresses were received with pleasure The
sight was too much. He sprang into the room.
and buried his dagger in the bosom of the cava-
lier. ON YOUR SISTER, exclaimed his wife,
and fell senseicss to the floor. The truth rushed
to his mind. His sister, in her playfulness, had
thrown over her graceful form the rich military
dress OF her brother, and assuming his character
was kneeling at the feet of his wife with all the
feigned ardor of youthful attachment The news
instantly spread through the castle, and the ut
most confusion ensued. The servants rushed to
the street, and by their frantic cries proclaimed
that scene of blood was within The officers
OF justice rushed to the apartment and seized the
unhappy man, who stood rvettcd with horror to
the spot. His wife, awakened at the noise, o.
pened her eyes upon her dying sister, and her
husband prisoner, and again closed them for
ever. Don Manuel was borne to prison, and the
seal of the king placed upon the doors of the
castle. Every servant but Diego had deserted
He, with admirable presence of mind, at the COM
mcncement Of the tumult, seized caskct con-
tanning some valuable effects of his master, and
concealed them in the humble dwelling of his
mother.
While their friends were paying the last sad
Offices to the remains of his family, the unforu-
nate prisoner was unconscious of every thing
that had passed. Insanity had kindly come to
his relief, and the man, who short time before
possessed all that ambition could covet, was now
maniac, chained in solitary cell, deserted bv
i,1
tune served only to bind the closer to his inter-
est.
Many year had passed, and the trial of Don
Manuel was still delayed on account of his in
sanity. At length, by the kind and soothing at
tention of Diego, whom the iailor permitted con-
stantly to attend him, his reason returned His
princely estates were in the hands of those who
would not willingly restore them, and he under
stood human nature too we'll not to know that
his life would be sacrificed to their cupidity,
should he ever be put upon his trial He there
tore still tcigncd himself lunatic, while Diego
intercedcd for his removal to a pri |
vate hospital for the insane, near the sea coast
Attached to the hospital was a large garden, in
which the keeper permitted them at stated hours
to walk. The walls were high, and as no fears
were entertained that mailman could escape
without being Immediately detected and return
Su, 'hcy "clc Hot Regarded Win SuSplcIOn.-
They had not long remained there before DIEGO
had matured plan for their escape. Hc pro-
cured for each the dress of friar, and procured
key to unlock the gate next to the sea. One
day he found in the harbor vessel on the point
OF sailing for New Orleans, in the distant province
of Louisiana.
Such were the regulations of the police, that
no ono could leave the port, without presenting
at the custom house pass from the alguazil. <
pass was forged by Diego, for the two friars
under the assumed names of Ambrose and Ber
trand, and permission to leave Spain was grant
ed without suspicion. At sunset they left the
garden unobserved, and slowly proceeded to the
wharf. 1t was an hour of fearful interest and
their hearts beat with most intense hope and fear
Life and death hung on the events Of few mo-
ments. Several of the more devout knclt as
they passed, and Don Manuel and his servant
gave them bencdiction in language which ex-
cess of emotion rendered inarticulatc. They
reached the wharf undiscovered, and procured a
boat to convey them to the vessel, which was
anchored at a distance in the ofiing At every
stroke ofthe oar that took them farther from the
land, their hearts throbbcd less violently. As
they climbed the sides of the vessel, the sailors
were heaving up the last anchor, the cordaec
lay uncoiled on the deck, the helmsman stood
al his post, and every thing indicated that the