The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1857-07-11

/ ODStlcit W tuc iTtS H.
wind. The chill stone floor
and our only bed Vas q small b
Istrlw that remained unchanged Or.
confinement. Cur food vas such as no huir.-
wonld give his dog aud often By the
careaesssess and inhamatity Of the prison
keepers, we were reduced 40 the very brink Of
starvation. Butt Gun write NJ more ~ our
sufftrings for even now, although nfu,y years
have passed away, it causes ms blood to grow
chill ins my veins, and an inyolint shadder to
creey over mo, whenevcrI thinkc months
Of terrible suffering.
notwithstanding our situation on, inds
were slowly healed and after eight
weeks we had so far recovered that we were
chained together and placed with the chain-gang
to labor n the streets Of Havana. Although
our labor was hard and wearisome, vet We
welcomed the change for then we might
enjoy The pure air Of Heaven. and that
was indeed welcome TO us. after having for
weeks, breathed only the damp, foul atmosphere
Of a prison. One pleasant afternoon, after we
had been engaged nearly o fortnight IN our
new occupation. d company Of lsdies and gen
tlemen passed US on horseback aud on looking
np from my work, ! observed q beautiful young:
lady Of the company salute, with d nod Of re-
conition, my friend, Dick Harvey ; and then,
placing her finger upon her lips us I'm
silence she turned away aud was soon
sight. That night, after we had been locked up
il our dreary cell, ] questioned Harvey in rehn
ton to his fair acquaintance, and he. in his
own brief aud frank way, related to Inc the
following incident in his history.
" Five years ago." said he, II was here in
Havana as the second mate of an American
vessel then i'd port. Oar vessel being hauled
up for repairs, an opportunity was given me
that | had long desired, that of having a few
weeks leisure 10 spend in roaming about the
city and country. Time passed pleasantly, and
for a time / met with nothing worth remember
ing, or at least worth relating.
"Bnt one afternoon, as I was s~trolling in
one of the principal highways, some miles from
the city. my attention was Suddenly arrested by
the shrielss and cries OF some one in distress !;
aud on Fastening to the spot from whence the
sound proceeded, | discovered a fair girl, ap-
r%arantly about fifteen, struggling 10 the arms
Of q hldeous looking giant mnlatto. Unurned
though | was, | instantly sprang upon the
cnward'y assassin, bore him to the ground. and
called loudly for assistance. My call was spec.
Oily answered by a number OF negroes al work
on q ~neighboring plantation bit before they
could reach me, l sank to the earth severely
wounded with d large dirk knife in the hands
Of the mnlatto. He was captured, however.
after a short struggle, and a few weeks after
wards was executed in this city.
!" As for myself was removed to the man
sion Of Don Manuel De Alva, the father &. !,
girl I had so proyidentially rescued, where i
received every attention that my case deman-
Died but a fever superyening. it was some
months before | was fully restored to health.
Z During my sickness Isabella was constantly
by my bedside. 1t was her. hand that gently
bathed my burning brow, when my throbbiug
temples seemed ready to burst with intense
agony. ~ was her that would sit, night after
night by my bed, 10 administer my medicines
and fan my burning cheek, while the servab,s,
whose duty 1T was, We're enjoying temporary
0bilvIen from their cares in sweet repose and
when after many weeks Of suffering, / was able
TO leave my room, it was her who aided and
guided my steps to some pleasant retreat !.
where she would learn me the language Of her
W fair land. You may think that l was in
love It's trne--l loved her fervently, devoted
ly--as a brother would love a sister but as
Tor what the world calls love / hardly dreamed
q IT why should II She was hut a Girl Of
ttleen a.man'of twenty-five; bit her aristo-
cratic Old father thought such a thing might
happen, and he spoke to me kindly, vet frankly
and boldly upon the subject. lie could moi
pear The idea that his daughter should marry a
iankee sailor, and not wishing to hurt The
feelings of one who had treated me with snch
generosity and kindness, / left Biz. residence ms
soon ; as my health permitted, and resumed nv
former occupation,
confess that | shed some tears at nart;ng
with Isabella, and she wept, also, as she gave
me lhis Keepsake" said he, drawing from his
breast q small casket, which was secured by 4
small cord around his neck, and upon %openino
y revealed q lock Of dark hair and u gold rjng
.ohe begged me to visit them, aud to write "a
lnen, as an opportunity offered but this
conld not do Tor fear Of giving offence "a her
father, whose opinions aud desires gfdatitnde Of
ieass would cause mt to respect. We nartad
and have not spoken or written To her s;nna
she still lives the fair girl OF fifteen bns
now grown into the loyley woman Of twent,,
1t was her that recognized he former fries1
IN the chain gang to-day
After Harvey had finished his narrative =
sought our miserabl pallet Of straw. and wa
very soon asleep; but Harvey still Lent his
seat upon the chill stone aoor fondly oagino al
he rnementoes of friendship. or rutIes of lora
which he held in his hand, mntelv ,eIIiap No ma
Tor years he had smothered he love 5f h;s
loeie heart, in obedience 10 what he consiJarnS
he claims of gratitude. se'eo
The third morning after this occurrence ,
directed TO Harvey, was fopnd m'an ~
loor Of our prison, giving new life 10 onn
frames, and bidding us hone once
more Tor freedom. 1t had but this sentence
BE ready Tomorrow night at m;dn;sht nns
Fou are free. Isasas ana
me neNs night at length came, aud We cour.
ca The slow hours with ieverish anyiety
l'Snt NOISE at the window aroused Ms from ,ha
'aF'ial slumber into which, from wear;nesy =
iaa ta.len, A tall, athletic negro was hus;yv
MT silently ut work removing the erstinm
rom inc windows. This he soon a~ecopnlisbaJ
10 lnen. thinsting his head through the aport'