The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-08-05
I'M OR EN- E,
The Spanish Peasant Girl.
By LIEUTENANT MURRAY.

Tie civil wars which have distracted
Spain so long, have often give rise to some
Of the most romantic incidents and scenes
in real life that have received the sanction
ofhistory. It's sons, generally bred to the
use of arms, seemed never to be content
ed unless welding the implements Of war
fare, and never more happily situated than
when engaged in foreign or civil wars.-
The events of our story occurred during
this period of Spanish history, when her
people were often arrayed one against an
other.
twas just nightfall in the district Of Ar
dier, with only his good and well tried To-
ledo blade BY hls side, sank down before
the door of peasants cot, too much ex-
hausted even TO ask for the refreshments
he so much needed. Scarcely q moment
elapsed, however, before the inhabitants
Of the cottage, discovering his condition,
were busily engaged in administering to
lis wants. The sturdy peasant, who was
master of the cot, held cup of wine to
his lips, while a young and tendr girl, not
quite bloomed to womanhood, swathed
bandage about the bleeding arm, and bath
cd his temples with cool spring water.
The soldier could only look his thanks,
smiling langnidly upon those who were
tending him. Ills wound was deep, and
it bled so profusely, that the cottager was
obliged to raise him in his sturdy arm and
bear him inside the cottage, for he could
no longer support himself. The little
II 4 Il,
to prepare proper aid and comfort for the
wounded soldier. The matron was busy
here, the father there, and the daughter
in another place lie was carefully watch
ed that night, but ere the next days sun
had set, the soldier had become delirious,
and his wound presented to the eyes Of
the inexperienced cottagera a most fearful
appearance; reasoning from this they
feared that it must prove fatal. But the
truth was, that the fever that now ragged
in his veins was more from fatigue, loss Of
blood, and consequent suffering, than from
the immediate character Of the sword
wound that had disabled his arm.
Day after day passed, and still the sol
lor lay in n half dormant state of lcth-
argy, the fever struggling with his consti-
tuition; one day seeming as though it must
conquer him, and the next growing per
haps more feeble in its influence Imo-
rene, the daughter Of the cottager, was un-
firing in her delicate attention to the stran-
ger; night and day she watched bv his
side smoothed his pillow, bathed his brow
or moistened his parched lips. True, he
seemed scarcely to realize this Kindness,
yet a smile sometimes lit up his pale and
haggard features. while Imorcue was by
his side
A strong constitution and youth at
length prevailed over the fever, and day
by day the soldier gradually improved, un-
til at last he was able to 60 once more
abroad. And now, attended BY that gen
tie, childlike form that had watched him
through tedious fever, the soldier wan
dcred through shady groves, and over hill
,;J.s and trough dells musical with bub-
Mn fountains, and fragrant with flowers;
ami here they wouiG SIT down together,
and he would tell her ot such gallant
deeds Of arms and such stories of true love
and nlisfortunes and bliss. that POOR limo
rene vas lost in bcwiIlcrmcni at his eIo-
queucc, ana dwelt With rap'ures upon the
real melody Of his voice.
Through all his character there san a
tender melancholy, AMI he half scomet
the very words be himself uttered, but she
knew little Of human nature, and nothing
ofthe world, AMI could not see this. 4
discriminating observer would have tho't
hin a man disgusted with the world, and
vet he was seemingly, too young for such
a conclusion lie might be twenty. five
or twenty six not older. There was some
singular reason why he should still remain
nj the cottage, now that he was well
enough TO have walkei dozen laagucs II
necessary. II was not love that kept him
there, for tho Imoreue loved Inn So dear.
Is tia. every look and motion betrayed
the language Of her heart, yet tie soldier,
though uniformly most gentle, cousllcral,
and attentive to her, never spoke Of love.
Monll. bal pas 81 sine, tha soldier fir
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