Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-04-27
THE CREEKS RESCUE;
Or, The Dungeon of Naples.

happened TO be residing at Naples du-
ring the reaction and prescriptions which
succeeded the return of Ferdinand after
the revolutionary crisis of 1896. Many of
the victims were denounced by the priests
as much for their suspected heresy as their
reasonable practice.
Father Don Alvez was particularly ac-
tive in this tpious work He was
younger member Ola Castlllan house, and
had been bred in the strictest discipline
of the Jesuits. He had spent his lite in
penances and intrigues, the former, pre-
sumo, to give him keener relish for the
latter, and the latter to compensate for
the tedium of the former. At the time
knew him he was past the middle age;
his features were already wrinkled with
years, but marked by that naughty and
cruel expression so apt to be produced by
the indulgence of arbitrary power. He
had come to Naples with high recommen-
dations TO the court, to assist in purglng
the city of the disalfected. HlssdIliSence
in this pursuit was truly beyond all par
allel. l am yet unable to conceive by
what process he became so minutely con-
versant with the previous history OF such
an immense number Ofpersons IN so short
time. His information was never at
fault, and his measures were very rarely
thwarted by mlscalculaLion either in the
design or execution. AS soon as he had
made himself master of a suspected per-
SON he did not at once hit upon his evil
dence to bring about an instant in1lctlon
of punishment, but used to give the prI-
soner the benefit of a dogmaLical exposi-
ton of what he called tthe salvation OF the
holy church. If this had the desired ef-
feet, after a little longer confinement the
captive was liberated on his good beha-
vior. But if the hereto persevered IN his
rejection Of the prescribed process, he
was forthwith handed over to the heads
man.
The society in which moved made me
acquainted with father Don Alvez. l
was then young and fond of adventure,
and very naturally conceived strong de-
sire of visiting with him some of the un-
fortunates whom the police were constant
ly arrestinS by his orders. Bypractising
some courteous assiduities as well-as
little flattery. l ingratiated myself with
him, and obtained permission to accom-
pany him on his dismal visits to the pri-
son.
After visiting one or two cells. in
which we found inmates quite willing to
believe anything aud everything which
my guide thought proper to PROFOUND,
we entered a narrow dismal hole surroun-
ded by walls, down which the damp trick
led almost in stream, and with the floor
composed of granite of uneven surface
and sharp edges. The torch carried by
our attendant discovered . bundle of
straw in the cornsr farthest from the
door, and resting upon it a young girl
Don Alvez motioned the jailor to with
draw The creaking of the hinges disturb
ed the prisoner. She started from her re-
cumbent posture, but her eyes had been
too long accustomed to. darkness to en-
dure the glare of torchlight. She arran
ged her disordered hair and clothing as
fast and completely as she could, and
when at length she ventured to scrutinize
her visitors, L marked the deep crimson
that suffused her face and neck.
had been accustomed to behold the
exceeding beauty of the women of Spain
and Italy. but when 1 saw this unfortu-
nate captive, felt at once that | had ne
yer met with any one whose loyeliness
was so perfect. When say that she was
a Greek, and bore in every lineament the