The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-12-08
NO.3O.

f. Addedto the natural dread One fearcxl Iikc
herrwonld feel on entering mich' place. was
the knowledge that but a Yhork ti,ne before.
ber5asiht had died with cha maSiirnat,t
SMALLPOX In thHt lclime, no disease was
more dreaded.,r She knew that the maleria
BON that vault would breathe death into
terireins- that she could not return from
the1fataLxisit andltisel, Now, when she
was happiest, to llaEesthe grim monster stare
hefEin the facedto, feel bis icy touch upon her
brow, was too much for, her young heart to
bear, B., With touching eloguence, she to sofl.
en- her mothers heart entreating her to, re-
yoke the fearful command. But; that was
vain she coldly turned from her cI,ild's an.
glDsh for she shrank, from no ,duty., even
when she Thought il led her to the battIe.6eId.
TO LA face the cannon's mouth she had braved
deati. there, and no child of hers through
lear, should turn from duty's path. mn,
With despairing heart she returned to l,er
private closet. Long and bitter was the
struggle could she give him up now--tbe
loved, the noble Franciscoa All her brigh.
hopes, must they be ,crusheda Must she
leave all7--her loved father, sister, husband
Eall2 Yet she saw there was no escapc.
Hcr mother-her queen had commanded;
she was all-powerful, and would be obeyed.
She sought relief in prayer. Long did
she ;kneel before that upliffed cross. When
she arose, her face was calm-there was no
quivering of her lip, though it was whittier
than parian marble. Her purpose was strong
She could brave DEATH, and resolved she
would do it now, ere the heart was seftened
by delay. She would steal away alone 20
meet her doom, without even another inter
view with him she thought so soon to have
been her husband. SHE would not pain his
noble heart by aparting such as that. But
her darling sister, whose voice she could hear
even then, singing one Of the sweet songs so
peculiar to her country, she must SEQ her
once more !; 30 softly and slowly she entered
her own room, striving to school her heart
for the trial; but at sight of her fair young
face, her tears burst forth, and in agony Of
grief, she clasped the wondering and terrified
child to'her aching heart. With one long.
lingering kiss, she left her, overwhelmed by
such agony, when, but short time before,
slle,was so joyous. = 1%!tf lsss.' p
JoscPha then ordeded her carriage. enter
ell it and told the old coaclrman to drive to
the church of Our Mother.' Slowly she
proceeded through the streets where but n
short time before passed the pageant of her
king, which were even then gaily decorated
in honor of her approaching nnptials--pas-
sed through arches where she saw her own
initials linked with those of her betrothed.L
The arches of the grand cathedrals were
richly festooned and decorated, surfnounted
by the united arms of Italy, Austria, and
Germany. One by one she saw all these,
and they but added an additional pang to
her heart; for she thofght how soon It would
all be shrouded in gloom. So did that he
roie girl drink the cup prepared and present
cd by mothers hand. s.,
;" Slowly she alighted from her carriage, and
entered the lofty, Iechoing cathedral. Afttr
short prayer she was met by monk, who
conducted hers bearing torch, chanting in
a low. voice, prayers for her safety. E -, q,
With trembling steps and hushed breath
closely pressing a cross to her breast, and
iRerffnlmed handkerchief to her lips, she de-
seendea into that lonesome vault, where cold.
dripping and dark, filed with the poison Of
death in its most horrible form, knelt that
fair, tender girl, and breathed a prayer!
Oh mistaken mother a Oh, superstiuous
religion! What have ye done . Sacrafic-
ed that gift OF God upon the altaro thy fake
Il, HQrriedly She repeated the imposed cere-
nony, then hastily left the noisome place,
which, she felt would too soon be her own
home. AS. she once more breathed the pure,
fresh, air, her strength left her, and she fell
lifeless upon the cold pavement, = u se
Her kind and loving servants conveyed
her home TO; the royal palace. Ere she reach :
ed it, she had recovered her consciousness,
and canly gave orders that no one be admit
ed to her room, for fear Of infoction---then
threw herself upon her bed and wept tears
of bitterness. Soon, too soon the signs ofthe
fatal disease made its appearance. Withra-
tipidity il stalkod through her veins, and quick
! ly did its work--for ere long, she was lk-
id, disfgared corpse ~
And wIterewere the friends Of this poer,
deluded child? All saye the queen. mere in
ignorance, until too iase to save. Theweas-
mindesl, but affectsonate father was stunned.
The noble, royal lover was frantic with grief
and mdignation--tIiat his beautiful, frail
flower should be hlightea by tho breath Of
that miasra TO which she was exposed by
her exactiug mother.
In one inoment he was plunged from tho
highest pinnacle Of happiness to The lowest
Of depths Of despah ---lIis passiouata. warln