The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
For ns Union and Eostsrn Journal.
sKETCHINas BY "0UR CLUB"
rATIMA.

sKETCH1Nas BY "0UR CLUB"
YATIMA
A Tale Of Southern Spain.
Among the unfortunate families Of Moors
who were forced 10 quit Spain, in ITO,
when the armies Of the Spaniards proved
victorious, there was one very rich farmer,
who owned The Casa del Luendu, or the
goblin house. As the object Of the con.
querors was 10 hurry the Moos out Of the
country wi,hou, giving them time 10 70
move their property, many buried their
money and jewels and placsd them under
enchan,ment, In that age believed 10 be so
powerful, in hopes Of returning from Africa
at some future period. Muley Hassem, nc.
cording 10 the popular tradition, dis'rusting
the success Of The Moors, had conirived q
vault under large sasan or close porch
OF his house, where he deposited great quan.
titles Of gold and jewels, which on leaving
the country, were laid under a speel by
another Moor deeply versed in the black
art.
The severe penalties enacted against
such Of the exiles rs should return, pre-.
cludsd Muley Hassem from all opponuni.
ties Of recovering his treasure. He died
en,rusiins The secret to an only daughter,
who, having grown up a, Seville, was per.
fec,ly acquainted with the spot under the
charm. Zuleima married, and was soon
leh widow, with daughter 10 whom she
taught Spanish. hoping TO pass her for q
native Of their country. Urged by The ap.
proach Of poverty Zuleima decided 10 make
use Of The secret entrusted 10 her and with
her daughter Fa,ima embarked on board q
corsair, and was landed secretly in cove
near Hullva. Dressed as peasant and hav.
ing assumed Spanish names, both mother
and daughter made their way 10 Seville. To
avoid suspicion, they gave out that they were
returning from the performance Of vow
TO celebrated image Of the Virgin ai Mog-
ner. In shor, time, by a we'll concerted
plan Zuleima was SO fortunate as 10 obtain
a place for herself and daughter, in the
family then occupying her own paiernal
mansion. Zuleima's constant endeavors 10
please SO won upon the family that she OBJ
tained their entire confidence.
When Zuleima though, that tho time
was come, she prepared her daughter for
the fearful and important task OF recovering
the treasure which had so long lain under
the powerful charm Of the Moor. The
winter came on; The family moved 10 the
frs, floor as usual, and Zulsima asked the
use Of one Of the ground floor rooms for
herself and Fa,ima. About the middle Of
December when the periodical rains had
caused the Gudalquiver 10 overflow lis
banks, and scarcely soul ventured out ai.
ter sunset, Zuleima provided with rope
and baske, anxiously awaited the hour Of
midnight 10 commence her incarnation,
which was 10 release the treasure from the
fearful spell. Her daughter stood trem.
bling by her side, in tho porch to which
they had groped their way in the dark
the large bell Of the cathedral clock ,olled
the solemn hour, breaking in upon the
deep stiffness with startling peal ,ha,
seemed to awake thousand fish,ful ech.
oes and mysterious voices in The porch and
along the dark aisle. Zuleima, nearly
overcome with terror inspired by the hour,
tho place and the errand, had scarcely
strength to strike fin, and light a green
wax taper, which she carefully sheltered
from the wind in pocket lantern. She
threw the rays Of the taper around; bu,
there was no opening in the stone floor oi
the porch. Trembling she began 10 repea,
the words Of tho incania,ior. The storm
without, which had lulled for . moment.
now increased with ,wo.fold fury. The
wind howled, the rain dashed agains, the
walls. the spiri, Of the storm seemed en-.
ragged al their attempt. A confusion Of un.
earthly sounds filed The room, and rs Zule,
ina half pelrified with fear finished the
formula. heavy peal oi,hunder shook the
building and Immediately chasm yawned
in the pavement a, their feet. "Now, Fa.
TINA, my child, the only care Of my life"
said Zuleima, Z" were you strong enough 10
draw me out Of the vault, | would not en-.
:rsai you 10 hasten down by these small
perpendicular steps you here see. Fear
moi, INV love, there is nothing below bu,
the gold and jewels deposited by my father y
"Mo,her, will no, break the promise
have made you," answered the ,remulous
girl, "though feel MS though my breath,
would stop the moment ] enter tha, horrible
vault. Dear mother, tic the rope ias, round
my wais,-my hands want slreng,h-you
mus, support my whole weight; merciful
Allah !-,ny foo, slips! IL fall! Oh moth.
or leave mo no, in the dark :"
The vaul, was not much deeper than the
girls length; and upon her slipping from
one Of tho projecting stones, the clink Of
coins scattered by the feet, restored The fail.
iug courage Of both. There, take The bas.
ke, child-quick iill !, up with gOld-fsel
i6r the jewels-I must not move the Ian.
iern. Well done my love-! Another bos.