The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-08-12


"children from the town play unler the wall
and some of them, thought strictly forbidden
by the police, now and then climb over and
steal my flowers. I watch them from my
window. When they know am there, they
look up; and, on going away, hold up in play
full triumph the noscgays they have taken,
crying Good bye lcpcr" Oh how love to
see them ~
care they your only visitors ?" inquired
Costa.
Again the lcpcr seemed confused, and
changed the subject; asking the sergeant if he
were afraid to inspect the interior Of the
dwelling?
WHAT" thought Costa, abstractodly, care
my misfortuncs compared with those of this
poor wretch !'
In truth, the afflicted man seemed compar-
ativcly happy, while the old sergeant was a
prey TO the deepest ailliction, and but few
hours before contemplated suicide.
Anxious to know how the rccluse had at
tanned such state of tranquil contentmcnt,
Costa, on entering his cell inquired what train
of events had brought him into the castle.
SIS it, he asked, your birth place."
II lost my parents in childhood" he was
answered. Being comparatively wealthy,
they left me small patrimony, and left the
church, for which had been training myself
to cultivate it; but they also bcqucahcd con-
stitution which rendered me an early prey
to the terrible epidemic lately brought among
us. My sister was the only friend ever had.
Yet No." lie checked himself, 81 have one
other"
"A visitor or an inmate ?" inquired the
soldier.
The leper cvadcd the question. "Whcn
he continued, ''the malady with which you
see me afflicted made its appearance both in
my sister and myself, the sanitary police hur.
ricd us away to this habitation."
'Your sister, thcn-"
as dead !"
"Anotller deep affection" thought Costa,
''yct how patiently he bears it," You
HiuSI, III salu alout, 'lliiu tIic Solltluc very
irksomc!'
The feeling of solitude is tempered by
labor. In the summer season the cultivation
of my garden occupies me pleasantly and al
most entirely. In winter, ! make baskets and
mats, and my own clothes. Books and pray.
or fill up the hours am not thus employed.
Indeed, so far from time hanging heavily,
when the year has passed, it seems to have
been very short"
''Wcre you always so resigned and con-
tented as you now appear to be !' inquired
the guest.
"Far from it," replied the lcpcr, 81 will
not deceive you. l have not arrived at my
present state of content without strong mental
contests Neither is complete sacrifice ofall
human affections yet accomplished. Even
now have struggles which the power of re-
ligion is not yet able to overcome. My inn
agination sometimes carries me back to the
world which have left. and fills me with
chinelical desires. l ascend the castle watch
tower, and view the masiliccnt spectacle of
mountain and valley. | see the glaciers of
Stroppo: behold the forests on the sides of
the mountains, and long to wander through
them. perceive the rich fields spread below
and human beings gambling in them, OF
strolling along in quiet happiness. Some Of
them picture as lovers, or married people,
whom health, youth and fortune unite to load
with blessings. envy their lot in proportion
as my own is miserable. feel the confused
sensation of an immensely of felicity, the
reality of which is denied to me. Once, to-
wards sunset, a young couple who had been
but short while married, made their appear
ancc close under the walls ofmy garden. Hap
pincss, unalloyed and pure was stamped on
their features, and they walked slowly with
their arms cntwincd. Suddenly they stopped
the young wife lcant her head on her hus-
bands shoulder, and he clasp.d her in his
arms with atfcctioratc ardor. My heart was
ready to burst-l strained my vision after
them to the end of the mcadow-and was
losing sight of them among the trees, when
shouts ofgladncss arose. Their relations had
come to meet them, and they were surround
cd by old men, women. and children. heard
their confused murmnrings of joy, and saw
their gay dresses between the trees. The
whole group seemed to breathe an atmosphere
of happiness. could not bear the sight
the contrast was too great. The Creator,
cried, has distributed pleasure everywhere
he has sent it in torrents upon everything that
brcathcs. went up into the tower. and
looked down upon the city aid its busy and
cheerful people, stretched forth my hands,
and, grooming, demanded from them my por
ton of happiness. In my wild transport, l
descended again to my garden, and claspcd
the trees in my arms, praying the Almighty
to put life into them, and to give me friend. :"
"Can nothing lie done to restore you to
your place in the worlds there no cure for
YOUR disease 2" Costa asked.
''No cure now. l am doomed. My SEN
tencc is for lifc-my only remedy is the grave
See ~ The lcpcr removed his overshadowing
Lat sol Il g., lie 81