Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-01
An Episode in the Carlist War.

HERE is another episode in this criml-
nal war which | will narrate, and the
authenticity of which will guarantee. 1t
is one of the last in date, but not the first,
doubtless, in atrocity. Such rs it is, new
crtheless, / am sure that even the red
skins of America would shrink from any
thing so inhuman.
The scene was at Cuenca. Among the
insurgents who attacked and took this
city there was young man who was
himself a native and resident of Cuenca.
He belonged to a good family, and had
entered one of the bands of Don Carlos
only for the purpose of being avenged in
a love.aflair. He had been enamored of
one of his cousins from his early youth,
but she had always turned deaf ear to
his suit. About year ago he demanded
an explanation, which was not denied
him; but the words Of his beautiful
cousin, instead of calming him, drove him
into frenzy
al can never be yours" said SIC, "be-
cause / love LUZ
LUZ was a neighbsr, who had recently
entered the ranks of the Republican forces
to fight against the Carlists,
every WE'LL" replied the lover; 81,
too, will be soldier tomorrow, but not q
soldier of Madrid. AS for your LUZ, you
will never see him again; and you will
be mine, Agnes, as sure as | live to re-
turn"
The next day he joined band Of Car
list brigands, and a week ago he returned
to Cuenca as an enemy. The city was
compelled to surrender after stubborn
resistance of sixty hours, during which
LUZ was killed. AS soon as he entered
the place, the cousin, in greater state
of exaltation than ever due, in a meas
ure, doubtless, to his having received a
slight und-immediately directed his
steps toward the house of his fair rela-
ton.
The doors and windows were securely
closed. He raped; no response. Could
she be away? That seemed hardly prob
able, for she had an invalid father, unable
to leave his bed, or even to be moved, to
whom she was too devoted to desert him
under any circumstances. They must,
| therefore, both be in the house; but they
would not reply. The house was as 81
lent as death itself. But has one passed
a year In the service of would-be Carlos
VII. without having learned an infallible
means of making u door openY That
would be humiliatingl The lover, be-
come a bandit, resorted to the torch; hc
Hfcu inc mouse. Ills COUlTaueS, WHO
knew what Christian sympathy. de-
manded OF them, came to his assistance.
They collected some fagots in the neigh
boring houses, piled them up against the
door that refused to open in response to
their appeals, and set fire to them.
In less than an hour the house was
completely enyeloped in flames, but not
cry, not single movement, indicated
that ii was at the moment inhabited.
But now small wing, that thus far has
escaped, takes fire. The destruction is
becoming complete, when window
opens, and the face of young girl con-
fronts the savages below, who cry
"At last! at lastp
Gay, at lastw she replies, defiantly;
cat last death is upon US. My father Is
already half sufocated. In few min
utes we shall both go to that world where
assassins do not enter except to receive
the just punishment for their crimes"
mo, mo-" cried the cousin, selling a
ladder, "you shall not die; | will save
your
BE saved by you! Rather thousand
deathsl You have killed LUZ, have
killed my father, and now you would
save mel Neverl But, before throwing
myself into these flames, lighted by your
murderous hands, l would tell you, brig
and, wretch, monster, that curse you"
And she disappeared. -Translated from
the French for Appieton's Journal.