Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-01-20

llltueTLO YOUR HOpes udNo mot Will no ~ ~
ton. l. enclosed within the narrow bounda-
ry of these four walls, must needs be pardoned
for looking on the shady side of things, seeing
that l am shut out from all glimpse Of the
sun p His faint little attempt at jest was
almost sadder than his more respondent tone
had been.
fortunately, we know that there is a
brighter side," cheerfully replied the general,
who seemed resolved not to yield to the others
downcast mood. $50 your idea is not bad
one. The sunshine is there, though at present
you cannot see it."
"When did you arrive in Spain :" asked
Manuel, after short silence.
"Ten days ago. I stopped at the house of
Don Hernando, having special wish to see
him, and obtain his advice or rather his opin-
ion, in certain matter"
"The good old man How is his infrmity
now? Is he still confined to his bed ?"
mot to his bed, but to his chamber. He
is however, as CHEEKY and light-hearted as
ever, and with his usual hospitality, insisted
on my remaining his guest for much longer
period than I had, by any means, intended
doing I am the bearer to you of bis very
special regards, and his assurance that, al
though restrained, by his inirm condition,
from seeking you at present, his thoughts are
continually with you, and his prayers for your
release ascend daily to Heaven"
II am most grateful to him." replied Man.
uel in moved tone, "and to all the good
friends who feel so deep an interest in my wei
fare. The thought that am not forgotten is
a great consolation to me in my solitude. At
the same time, would not that any one Of
you should suffer the consideration of my af-
fairs to usurp more important subjects of at
tention. They are scarcely worth it. What l
mean is, that there is but little chance ofyour
efforts bringing about happy result. Did l
believe that there was hope, should not pre-
tend to discourage your labors in my behalf /;
that would be hypocrisy indeed"
LUCKILY, your convictions have nothing to
do with the real state of the case" said his
friend. II am not surprised that you should
yield to encouragement at times Situated as
you are, it would be rather matter Of sur
prise that you should continue always hope.
full I would to Heaven, at any rate, that I
could obtain your transfer to less confined
quarters-you have barely room to turn round
in here"
"Oh the room does very well-I have be-
come accustomed to the size of it now. have,
at all events, the advantage of privacy. l
pity the poor wretches who are cooped up in
numbers together, as some of the common
criminals are. And I am allowed to stretch
my limbs twice weeks as you know, in the
small yard below my window. On the whole,
can't find fault with my treatment. AS far
as the body goes it fares we'll enough-it is
the mind which suffers! Yes, it suffers" he
repeated in lower tone, and in an accent Of
deep dependency, as his forehead sank upon
his hands.
The General regarded him anxiously.
"You are not we'll, Manuel" he said in a
voice of concern. "1t is that which affects
your spirits to-day. l noticed, when l first
entered, that you looked thinner and more
worn than at our last interview. Tell me,
truly; do you suffer from no illness2'
Nothing tangible-nothing to speak of"
replied Manuel, still without looking up.
my ailment, if there be any, is not one which
any physician could cure. IT'S gradual
wasting of strength-a slow absorption of vi.
tality into the stagnant atmosphere which I
breathe. My blood runs more sluggishly
from day to-day. I feel lassitude, an indif-
ference to surrounding objects, which plainly
tells me that my faculties both mental and
physical, are decaying by slow but sure de-
grees. .......:-- ..
"Nay, Manuel! Your mind is as clear, as
unimpaired as everl But your frame needs
bracing. You should take some tonic-some-
thing to re.animate and support you. I will
procure one for you this very day. Mean.
time, endeavor to turn your thoughts to more
hopeful subjects. Look forward, as do, to
the approach of the time that will witness your