The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-03-22
HEROIC SELF-SACRIFICE.

Years since some persons from Bucnos
Ayres went to England, carrying with them
some specimens Of ore from certain valuable
mines in the province and vicinity of Roja.
These mines in the Argentine Republic
they succeeded in disposing Of for immense
sums of money. The English purchasers
vast expense, men and machinery for the
purpose Of working the mines; but on their
arrival, they discovered that thay had been
duped into the purchase of land belonging
to the government. Quroga, who was then
Governor of the province, was applied to,
and he gave them permission to work the
mines, but withheld the title of possession.
They accordingly proceeded with their
work, expended large sums as they pro
gressed, until their all was staked in this
one enterprise. They had begun to reap
realization Of their hopes from the product
of the mines, when Quiroga commenced
throwing obstacles in their way, and exact
ed large amounts for the privilege that lie
had granted them, hogging and even i'm
prisoning the wOrlimen, and annoying them
to such a degree, that at length the opera
tions were suspended and the whole compa-
ny became totally ruined. There was no
meaes Of redress, and those who could get
the means returned to Europe; but there
were many who were compelled by necessi
ty to remain; and among those were two
Germans, whose christian names were Fred
erick and Wilhelm. These two were de-
yolcdiy attached to each other, and might
always be seen together, shearing their
means and striving for each others comfoIt
and enjoyment.
Tyrants aro always suspicious of those
about them, and Quiroga imagined that a
conspiracy was on foot against his life
Many persons were arrested under this sus-
picioni and he knew that none could be
more likely to entertain hatred towards him
than the poor foreigners whom he had ruin
ed, our friend Wilhelm was arrested and i'm
prisoued with the rest. 1t was ia vain that
MS more than brother Frederick, pleaded
the innocence Of his friend aud begged re-
lease. Quiroga only smiled and, told him
lac only wasted his words. The poor fellow
became almost distracted and in this state
Of mind was one morning informed that his
friend was tu be shot in the afternoon.
Those who knew him feared that this an
nounccmeut would drive him to madness;
bat IL was no sooner made to him than
change Of very different nature came over
his mind in an instant. lie had entrcatcd
worried and fretted himself into feyerish
excitement, going from person to person
aud from place To place, 10 obtain
iuhu nrcand often, ,too,with tears in hisey si
yet an had been without avail. But when
he heard the irrcyncable sentence ofdelth,
deliberate calm seemed To take possession
OF his SOUL aud with it came, as will be
seen, settled dctcrm nation to save his
friend, even at the sacrifice Of his own life.
lie Immediately procured fleet horse,
aud riding to the guard-housc where Hil-
helm was confined, and which stood near
the residence Of Quirog, he dismounted,
aud leaving his horse with the captain Of
the guard, said calmly
Captain am going to the Governor to
obtain "a rcpricye for my friend; should tho
Governor send an order To that effect, you
will please give him my horse"
Having obtained compliance, he pro-
ccedel % 10 the house OF QuiIoga, aud pass
ing thc guard at the entrance found him
alone,
Governor" he said, "you may know the
ohjcc, of my visit; il Is 10 intercede once
more Cor my friend. You have been mis-
informed respecting himi ho Is not capable
ct joining ia amy conspiracy, aud is inno-
cent OF this charge. beg Of you to release
him."
Quirosa looked upon bln, and with an
Internal smile, zid
"You must iorgei your frondi he has but
a few hours D. live. n you not know that
when coudsmn man ! seldom forgive
hImg"
~Bu, ho Is my only friend % exclaimed
the r1ar f,lipw, falling uIau hIs knees and
bur.uns Iut1 trar. he b. nay only friend
aud fyuu k.i, him you viii ki.l me. se
uar' senior. hs BE- uelpilis ofthis ae, lie
bas uai tle Leau' lo has not tlc Inwsrl
Even now he oluuat speak the Spanish
huslasa, seIor' { euiOll you, sIare
limf'
"Ifhs does nai understand the spanish
ausiav,' ad tha olh tiorlsi tynut
"hs vl uot usel ta lssgn BE- ssw. Co
issve m-i yoa eiu ay uaih.us tlaf siil al-