American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-09-14
THE sACRILEGE.

g-uoa THE SACRILEGE.
Perhaps you have noticed little stone
cross, in a most charming. but retired
spot, on the northern side of Lone Noun
tain. already beginning to look worn and
weather-stained, and usually called, by
the keepers Of the ground, the &c Stranger
Cross, erected by-no one knows who
over bOdy-nO one knows whose. The
inscription on the cross-carved in old
English letters, so small as to escape any
but very close Observers-is the saddest
ever penned on earth: 6 Sine spe"-
g without hope"
OF Mexico under the reign OF Iturbide
will recall the name of the great bankin:
firm of Earl & Co.. Mexico. William
Earl possessed enormous wealth. and
welded almost unlimited power. He ap-
parently controlled the whole commerce
of Mexico; possessed countless silver
mines, and loaned millions to the govern
ment (when it suited him), millions to
the church. millions to the planters-but
always on the best security. and at fabu-
lOus rates. He never forced You to bor-
row from him Gf necessity did, but if
you signed the fatal bond. he would have
his pound of flesh. co,1tc que coute. He
had formerly lived in great splendor but,
since the death of his wife, contracted his
his country villa. with his infant son and
only child-scarcely six months old-when
he lost his life by the hands of the exc
cutioner; or. rather, was shot in the pub
lie plaza of Mexico, having been con-
victed of high treason against his Serene
Majesty, Iturbide First.
Whether he was really guilty of plotting
against the peace and tranquility of the
Governneht-whichh he made no secret of
IL I'M NJ vvh M
wealth was the object of such harsh
measures, can not now be discovered, as
the state papers of the Mexican Govern
ment are utterly valueless on the score of
veracity. even if they were not regularly
bulned@Say-once- A-month-by the last
authority in power. At all events, the
estate was wholly confiscated, and the
young WillieEarl, his nurse-wife of the
parish priest-adopted him as her own.
This priest, Hike most of his order in
Mexico, cared more for his own convent
ence than for the papal bulls. Nor did
he wrong his conscience in the least, as
celibacy' forms no partsof Roman dogma,
but is simply matter of discipline, in
vented by the Popes from motives OF
policy. The strict integrity of this padre
had long been known to the wealthy
banker. who regularly advised with him
regarding certain financial negotiations
with his Grace, the Archbishop, and GER
tain wealthy abbots who had loans to raise
on golden crucifixes and silver statues.
The banker had been generous to the
priest-thOugh he, too, often relentlessly
sent the plate of the superior clergy to
the melting-pot. The priest and his wife
became extravagan.ly fond OF their foster
child. and brought him up as their own
eldest son. As he grew up. he displayed
extraordinary talent, and was a decided
favorite with the. whole circle of the
priest acquaintance. Fond of horses
to spend more of his time rambling over
the country in quest of amusement than
over his bOOks-for which he had deci-
ded distaste. This distressed his foster
parents. who hoped much from his high
intellectual capacity: but his incorrigible
Siddiness, his wild, But good-natured
pranks, led them. at last. to consent to
his adoption Of the Profession of arms.
As he wanted to be a soldier. it was de-
cided to yield to his taste; and it was set
tied that a soldier he should be. The
padre, however. was no friend to the ex-
isting order Of public affairs; Iturbide
had been banished, and Anarchy reigned
in his stead. ~ =
Willie Earl had reached the age OF
twenty with no settlement in life beyond
vague purpose Of a future military ca
reer. One day he told his foster-f:ither
that but one thing remained to make him
perfectly happy. He had cleared the
ground, and knew the realization of his
fondest wishes now depended upon a
mere formality. In,short. he was smitten
with the beauty of Senorita Iluseinda,
daughter of a wealthy magnate-Don An
fOnIo-Whose great estate and political
influence made his name famous through
out the country. The young mans suit
had progcssed 50 favorably-though all
unknown to the parents of the young
lady that the lovers had decided that the
next step would be for the padre to state
the case, secure the license. and unite the
interested parties in his own church with
ont further delay.
Alas for the lovers Things are not man.
aged in this rude world of ours from a
rose-eolOfed point of view. The priest
was evidently very much annoyed at this
news. He saw il was time to inform
his yOun1 ward of the real relationship
between himself and young William
ship-the facts of which had not been
div,Ilged hitherto, for the obvious reason
Of saving the boy from feeling a sense
OF dependence and misery. 81 have
not" continued the priest" saved any
thing from my slender income. beyond
what will prove a mere trifie when di-
vidcd among my children, with whom
tell you that your real father-whO was
Of English dcscept-was meyer on friendly
terms with The proRd old Don Antonio.
Considering our poverty, and the an
tipathy I am sure the naughty old man
feels for the name yOu should ri1htfully
bear. can not think Of approaching him
on the subject. My advice to you is this
90 into active service; win your own
place iii the world carve out your own
fortune, and then seek the hand of a lady
IN that position in life equal to your own.
n fortune hunter is. a scoundrel. You
would not merely expose me to the en-
harrassment Of benr ins'4ted by purse
proud aristocrat. who would form no
better opinion of us than that we planned
an attack upon his stronghold, but the
very first question he would ask, is.
= Whit income can you settle upon my
daughter:' What scould i answer? l.
not the case perfectly clear one.''
The effect of this sound advice upon the
impatient but astOnished ears of the
listener, was precisely opposite to what
had been intended by the padre. The
Young man looked upon himself as a
victim of misfortune; ardinStead of rising
above what seemed t.alafnitous position
of life, sank under il, and became moody,
gloomy. and -desp aalant---usx rent- how
ever ia LusciBJa-, and told her thu, exact
truth. binding herto secrecy, but promis-
ing that he would never desist till he had
gained his point. But said he. =
will marry you honorably, in broad day
light with the consent of your father and
my friends. ] have a high sense OF honor,
and will one day claim you. hope, as an
equal in fortune