Spirit of the age., 1861-04-24
8e3eeeft g 8!sa<tet~r<.
A STRANGE HISTORY.
BY EMERSON BENNETT.

A ST K a N u Il ID TO Il I.
BY EMERSON BENNETT.
Sometimes we are almost tempted to be-
lieve in the principles of astrology-that the
planets, in their multltudinous combinations,
do affect the lesser bodies Of sensitive life, more
especially human life for strangely wonderful
are the destinies Of some-a career OF obscu-
rity being suddenly changed by matter so |
trivial as to be unnoticed ia the general re-
cord Of life, and the fortunate individual, no
better nor otherwise greater than the thou
sands above whose heads he is lifted, being
suddenly elevated to the very pinnacle of
human distinction; while another. or. per-
hans ki.~deiE.u from tue dizzy height, ana
,.isnoed so far down the abyss of misery as
90 receive the plying sympathies Of those
who had kept the even tenor Of their way"
and enyied the happiness and glory of that
child Of fortune and fame Let us cite a
case in point.
Somewhere about the middle Of the last
century, rich and worthy gentleman of
Spain, though not de .Jacto u grandce be-
came the father Of son aud heir Great
were the rejolcings Of Don Sebastian de Cor
dova and his family over this happy event,
and at the baptsmal font the son received
the Christian name OF his father.
The inantile years Of the heir rolled hap
PLY onward, and his youth gave promise of
bright career. At the age Of fourteen he
was placed under tie care of maternal un-
cle--no less parsonage than the Military
Governor Of Pamplona-and from him re-
ceived instructions in the elementary militia
tary sciences. Two years later he entered
the Military Fortress Of Carthagena, as a
cadet IN the corps Of Sappers and Miners,
where hc graduated at the age OF twenty
one, receiving the distinguished honor of a
lleutenants commission IN the Royal Body
Guard, which was then kept in attendance
upon the Royal Family
In 1880 the troubles in Spanish Mexico
caused the Spanish Government to dispatch
to that country large body of troops and
among the rest, the regiment to which Lieu
tenant Don Sebastian de Cordova was at
tached and which he accompanied Soon aE
ter reaching Spanish Mexico, this regiment
was ordered to st. Augustine, Florida, where
1t remained TIL the declaration of peace be-
tween the United Colonies and Great Britain,
and then returned to Spain and resumed its
old quarters near the Royal Palace.
New honors were now showered upon
Don Sebastian the younger lie was sud
denly promoted to the rank of colonel of his
division, and given charge of the post, and
the Queen in many ways showed him marks
OF her special favor. Introduced to the prime
minister, Godoy, who was said at that time
to rule both King and Queen, and receiving
such attentions from his ROYAL Mistress as
must have convinced him Of her personal in
terest IN his fortunes, Don Sebastian, had he
possessed the corrupt and vaulting ambition
of many around him, might have asplred
with impunity to the very highest honors of
the realms.
But thougha good soldier, Don Sebastian
was not n good colrtier he was not lover
Of intrigue prolligacy, and licentiousness :;
he could not even sympathize with those who
were and as consequence he could ndt
long remain n royal iavorte It. one of the
most corrupt courts with which Spain has
so often disgraced not only Christendom but
civilization He soon therefore fell into dis
favor with his new associates, and the Queen
at last began to reprimand him for his stud.
led absence from dcbauching revels, and ac-
cuse him Of shamming a purity and virtue
which he did not possess.
Whether Don Sebastian might not have
been drawn into the Whirlpool of dissipation
and been completely wrecked and enguphed,
had the cOunteTactng force been no greater
than what existed within himself, is a ques-
tlon which we are not to determine but he
had external assistance Of that kind which
has upheld and kept many a man from
degradation and ruin-the saving power OF
loving and being beloved
lie had seen the fair and beautiful Isabel
Montebello, the daughter of an ancient and
wealthy house, he had heard her speak mu-
sically--had heard her sing melodiously ;
and with her sylph like form, raven hair,
lustrous eyes, pretty face, poutting lips, and
dimped hand, he had fallen desperately in
love he had found opportunity to declare
his passion; and, long since, he had heard
from her sweet lips, in her own silvery voice.
that he was beloved in return and this il
was perhaps, more than his innate virtue
which had kept him from the debasing ex
cesses of vicious court.
But the open censure ofthe Queen, through
whose favor he had SO suddenly risen to dis
tinction, annoyed him exceedingly; and a
consultation with his Isabella, Qittle Isabel
rs he termed herr resulted in letter to his
father, stating the whole facts Of the case
and asking his advice.
Resign, my son, and come home = was
the muttam an pdrCO answer which he il
due coarse of time received.
And so my bright hopes of fortune an(
happiness are all suddenly blasted = groaneC
the colonel. | cannot retain my rank ant
position, under the very eyes of the Queen
and be true to her love; and the moment
resign, the proud house Of Montebello vii
no longer consider Inc a suitable alliance 70
their fair and lovely daughter. | will con
suit my lsabeita again
lie did so, and the second result was hi
immediate resignation as military officer G
the royal household.
Now then, Senorita Isabel he said, a
he again presented himself before the lai
being of his choice, am plain parsonage
have neither title, rank nor power--an
what do you think of me now ?
That you have proved yourself tru
and noble man, whom the purest and bes
may love and honor
But so will not think, fear, your PROUD
imperious fatherp
The soft, bright eyes sought the grounC
and crimson hue went upward to her ten
pies, as she rejoined-
lie would have me wed the naughty, il
triguing Count Don Geronimo, of the mob
houses of Alcazar and Aldana, Grandee
the order Of Santiago; but i detest the ma
and sooner than sacrifice my happiness
that manner, will enter convent, and tai
the vail Of eternal seclusion.'
Alas then, there is no hope for me
sighed Don Sebastian.
DO not despair = replied the fair Isab
Il do not think my father, when he learns
my repugnance to the man of his choit
will seek TO force union that would rend
bis only child forever miserable, and if pC