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Office 80 me, near r Corner ot Exchange St.
ibe “Ad INDEPENDENT FAMILY JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, NEWS, BG. 0° 98
VOLUME. AVI
CN
“WHERE DO FAIRIES H HIDE THEIR HEADS?
By FREDERICK WEST.
Ob! where do fairies hide their heads,
: ‘When snow lies on the hills;
‘When frost has chill’d their mossy beds,
‘And crystalized the riils?
Beneath the moon they cannot trip,
“In eireles o'er the plain,
And draughts of dew they eannot sip,
Till green Jenves come again.
“~ Perhaps in emall blue diving bells
Los They plunge beneath the waves,
Inhabiting the wreatbed shells
‘That lie in coral caves:
Perhaps in red Vestviug
Carouzal they maint
wi) And cheer their little snieite thas
> Till green leaves come again
When they return, there will be murth
41) § ‘And rausi¢ in the aii i
And mystic rings upon the earth,
. And mischief everywhere!
; ‘The maids, to keep the elves aloof,
Will bar the door in vain}
No key hole will be fairy proof
When green leaves come again,
A CAPITAL STOR
THE UNKNOWN BRIDE,
A REMINISCENCE OF THE PENINSULAR WAR.
Oar story commences in 1808, during the French
invasion of Spain, when, under the flimsy and in-
consistent ' pretexts of delivering the Peninsular
from British and ‘monkish influence, Napoleon
sought to snatch the diadem of Castile from ‘the
degenerate brow of Charles the Fourth, and place
it on his brothers.
But his calculations proved as erroneous as, his
schemes were iniquitous. The enemy. trom whom
ho pretended to rescue Spain, was destined to drive
his legions across the Pyrenees, and the despised,
“priest-ridden” Spaniards resolately assisted in
thrusting forth the invaders at the point of the bay-
onet. ‘War to the knife !” was the maxim of the
attacked and betrayed.. The guerillas hung. upon
the flanks of the French army, cutting off strag-
glers and detachments, intercepting supplics, whilst
the dagger and the poisoned cup were often the
fate of the bold and insolent intruders. , ;
As it is not our purpose to give an historic sketch
ot this stirring contest, we.shall confine ourselves
to parrating an incident in the life of a handsome
and brave young French officer, named Frederick
Davernay. Lately promoted to the rank of cap-
tuin, he had been ordered to march with’ his! com-
pany to join the ‘army of reserve, under Gencral
Bessieres, at Burgos... Oa‘ the night of the third
day’s march from St. Jean dé Lux, he reached a
hamlet near Bargara.: Here lodging was not to be
found, for Freslerick did not care to scatter his men
by. billetting them ina place where every face wore
a dark, hostile look. «|
The only inn, or hostel ry, of the place was ‘such
as most Spanish pasodas are, even in the’ present
day; gloomy, and void of comfort, and too circum-
scribed in extent to secommodate one hundred sol-
diers.
The captain, in this attemma, ‘turned his" atten-
tion to a neighboring convent, and was told by the
aleade that it had been almost entirely abandoned,
and Icft in charge of some lay brothers. |.
When the’ French , Officer knocked at. “the ‘gate
two individuals appeared shrouded in "capuchin
hoods, from beneath which’ their Jarge, black eyes
cast unfriendly glances ;j and, on his’ demanding
lodging for himself and_men ‘they looked at each
other expressively, and ‘then, silently bowing, led
the unwelcome- guests into ‘the ‘glocmy edifice,
where, however, they soon made themselves quite
athome. :
To their surprise, ‘and no- small gratification, a
good supper was served up about a couple of hours
afterwards in the refeetory, and the weary soldiers,
hungry aud thirsty, delightedly eyed the white
bread, huge’ puckercs of smoking: vegetables avd
meat, and several mighty j jars, filled to’ the brim
with vinto tinto and cidra.
PORTLAND, SATURDAY,
Frederick and his subalterns sat apart, at a table
on which glittered a rich display of plate.
French gayety was soon in the’ ascendant, the
glasses jingled merrily, and Joke and song became
the order of the nig!
All at once, ‘when, for the second time, the cap-
tain raised a brimming goblet to his lips, he’ felt a
fiery pang shoot through his bosom. | It increased,
and seemed to devour his vitals. His head sunk,
he felt a strange buzzing in his ears, the blood beat
violently in his temples, his limbs stiffened, and a
deadly sickness paralyzed his strength. He at-
tempted ‘to rise, but, seized with violent convul-
sions, fell on the floor, struggled for a few seconds,
and then lay motionless, his brow covered with a
cold sweat.’ Presently he recovered bis senses, the
raised his heavy, aching éyelids.
‘A frightful scene was before him:
smoky, fitful light over the vast hall.” Officers and
soldiers lay on’ the ground, in the midst of ‘glass
and china, shattered by their fall, some writhing in
horrible paroxysms. A few pale faces were raised
up, and showed to Frederick clenched teeth, hag-
gard. blood-shoot eyes, and shrunken cheeks. Then
they waved their arms frantically, hoarse ‘cries,
bubbling moans, and fierce oaths escaped their blue
lips, and then fell back exhausted, and a death-like
stillness pervaded the scene.
“Poisoned !? murmured Frederick, in a broken
voice. “Poisoned! All my. poor soldiers! And
I—to die—so young—such a horrible death !”
He endeavored to raise himself on his elbow,
bat fell back in a fresh swoon, and all again was
still. .
Mow many hours did. this, last? None could
say but those who contrived this dreadfal drama. —
Frederick had supposed that he was dying; never-
theless, his eyes at length re-opened, he felt a re-
freshing draught presented to his lips, and beheld
an old woman leaning over him with a cup in her
hand.
Full ot surprise, he cast a curious glance around.
He was stretched on a bed, and lying in a low
vaulted chamber, with gray and naked walls, into
which daylight scarcely penetrated. .. A man, whose
features were concealed by a large . sombrero, was
seated on the foot of the pallet.
The, old woman stood up and said, “Ie is saved,
senor.”
Ona sign from’ the mysterious , <Personage she
left the room.’ .
“Whee the deuce am’ I?” mattered the young
captai
atrhe stianger did not reply.
. alt soldiers !” cried Frederick, in an agony o
“Ah! I recollect—poisoned ! © All my brave
fellows dead £” . _
“No,” said the man, in a rough voice, “the dose’
was ‘not strong’ enough. When ‘supposed dead,
they rose up and slew our ‘People who were sent to
bury them.” \*
: wah fitht they ‘did, well. ” o
“Pardon; Senor Uidalgo! But, after all, “you
squght to kill us; and after all_——
“Enough ; yon forget that you are in my power.”
" “Trae, I should not so easily forget’ the reach:
ery to which we daily fall victims.” 3
“It is thus that the Spaniard takes vengeance on
the unprincipled pina who violates the soil of
bis country.” : ret “
, “By a war of assassination !”
* By a war of justice. ; Do we offer a fair ‘See to
tite robber who intrudes himself into our dwellings ?
No, we slay him... And yeu, Frenchman, who come
to steal our liberty, our independence———". 5 §
“Mudmen and savages !” mattered . Frederick.—
“Bat,” retarned he. aftera momenrssilencs “was I
too poisoned #”,. is:
:* Yes; but being more sober than the others, you
cnftered Jess} and, as we wanted you, you were car-
ried Off and carefully attended.” :. »
“And you have saved me? -Very, amiable, I
must admit.’- Now will you have the goodness to
tell me what you propose doing with me ?’- +
\.“To keep you prisoner.” By
"8 What are you, then F Pek
BM redid a pelt '
“No matter.” sx Fed ‘
“Where am 14° . . ba
uo
tide of life again flowed through his heart, and he’
Foar ‘lamps, hanging from the ceiling, cast a’
DECEMBER 21852.
ll,
“I don not reply to such questions.” .
“The deuce! But do you know that these ques-
tions are of the deepest interest to me 2” .
“You ought to have died. You are my prison-
er, Thank Heaven for it,”
“Faith! I do not know if I shonld prefer death
to captivity ; especially if I am tobe kept in this
gloomy apartment, with its black walls and nar-
row-barred window. Not even an arm-chair;.and
couch so deucedly hard ; nevertheless, in time of
war, we must not be Particular. Bat come, what
are you going to do with me ?
“You shall know.” .
“So much the better. And how long will. you
keep me in this rascally stone-jug ?”,
“That will depend on yourself,”
“Zounds! if it depended on me, I would quit it
directly,”
“Stop a moment. , There are conditions
are condemned———" ra serfs
“Excuse me. Bat I have not seen my judges.—
If1 were not afraid to offend you, I would remark,
that you look remarkably like an executioner ; but
usually, the executioner comes after the judges. 1
should prefer that in my own case; the usaal or:
der of things should not be reversed.
| “Listen to me, and talk less; that i * iti it is pos-
sible, you being a Frenchman.”
“You are epigrammatic.: Well, ola fellow, I
cannot compliment you on your wit, which is old
and worn out:
You
“Answer me, Your name?”
“Frederick Duvernay.”
“Your age?” .
“Twenty-eight.”
“Well, you are ¢ condemned: to remain here for
life.”
| ©The deuce! it Ilive as long as my grandfa-
ther, Ishall have seventy years of it; rather too
s
s
gs
“You shall never leave this—never see again the
light of the san—neVer hear the human voico—nev-
er behold the face of man, ‘Every day, by this
trap. you will receive bread and water.”
“Morblew} what a perspective! . Bat tell me,
Senor Hidalgo, by what right
| “By the right of the strongest. -You are in my
power.” 4
| “Too true.) Bat do you not suppose that Iam
of a certain value, and that a brave soldicr will not
be lost’ sight of as ensily as you imagine? Trast
me. I shall be sharply looked for.* 4s
“You are a fool! ‘The soldiers think you dead,
a victim to poison, like a few others; and, as the
convent has been burned, your carcass, xs well as
theirs, is supposed to have become the prey of the
flames. “No one will ever inquire for you.”
i“HIem ! quite a little melodramatic intrigue.”
| “Notwithstanding, you may avoid all these snf-
ferings, recover your liberty, return home, and even
retain a very Agreeuble recollection of your adven-
tare in Spain.” .
. \*0h, as for that,” vied Frederick, “Ts swear to
you—bat no matter, what must I dor Yr
“Marry.”
“Marry 4 Senor Hidalzo, I protest to you ha
Thave not the slightest inclination to marry.”
‘“Inclination or not, you mast.”
:“Confonnd it, nol I prefer remaining single”
“Then you: will remain here forever. Adieu I”
“One instant. ‘ What a deuce of a harry you are
in! Atleast give me ‘time for a moment's reflec-
*|tion!”
“That moment must be a short one, Marriage,
or a dungeon for life.” "3
> “T understand. “And, indeed, “thiceh marriage
has been ‘compared to the gulleys, if I must choose
between this hole and the galleys, 8,1 rather incline
for the latter. , Besides, ‘who! know’ if those who
decry, marriage may not be | evil | tongues t Tell
me, is my bride prety? ©
i No matter.” .
1 No matter? Bat there ought to be at Teast as
mach ceremony in taking a wife as in buying a
horse, One does not do that with ono’ eyes shut.”
4 *You shall not see e her” .
cor" eeyeeten
> | ‘walls of his cell became peopled with forms clad in, :
NUMBER 35.
“Wait a’ moment.
plexed captain.
“Make haste,. My patience is exhausted.”
“Nay, be reasonable.” Before marriage, surely a
few inquiries may be permitted?” And, to speak
frankly, Senor Hidalgo, you seem to me very like
one who is plotting some mischief against me—
You may be a grandee ‘of Spain, or perhaps” his
valet, employed to hush up a peecadillo. Such
things have been. ‘Now, I warn you that I am not
the lad inclined to act such a part.”
“As you please, But reficct that, this door onee
closed, I shall return no more. Yon will be fed, as
Ihave told you; that is to say, unless they shall
“happen to forget you, which, in that ease, the Lord
have merey on you 1 For these walls are thick,
2
you are twenty feet below the surface of the ground,
therefore, your cries can never be heard. Good
ni
aOR, a dear! Senor Hidalgo, you pare such, a
pelsisive’ way of your own, it you will
with me. I will marry with my yes. shut, even if
it be to'a witch. ' So there’s my hand upon it.”
“ ‘Good! to-night, at midnight, we shall come eal
fetch you; but remember, whatever you, may, s
whatever you may hear, not a word, not & nesieee?
Obey implicitly.. At the first infraction of my
ders,’ dagger-stab shall teach you the danger of
chattering in Spain. - .
“Thank you. “And atcrwards what is to be done”
with me?” .
“You will see.) - €
The Spaniard left the cell with aslow and ma--:
jestic pace, and the heavy door closed behind ‘him
Frederick heard two turns of the key, then a con-
ple of bolts drawn: Steps were heard for an in.
stant, heavy and regalar, then they gradually died ®
away, and all again became silent; it was ‘the si-
lence of the grave.
Frederick felt a ‘shudder traverse his frame. | -3t
A man may brave death on the battle-field—the |
attack and defence, the smell of powder, the rattle’
of musketry, the roar of the cannon, the warlike ‘!
flourish of the trumpet, the shouts of the triomph-
ant, the wails of the fallen, all conspire to excite,
to intoxicate, and you rush unthinkingly to death «
or to glory ; but the solitude of a dungeon, the si-
lence of that living tomb of stone, the thoaght of .
perishing, in the prime of life, by so mean, so ua-
known a death, perhaps by famine, was horrible. °-~
To wile away the long hours of solifude, he
thought of his former life, 80: varied and ‘so’ gay,
the light amours of his military career, so pleasant
and often’ so’ adventurous. «Ile saw pass up the
vista of memory the graceful forms, the bright fa-».»
ces of women, whose smiles appeared to invize his +{
adoration... Fair and brown, tal! and short, all!
those whom he had loved, or fancied he had loved, ~
seemed to address him, with their youthful and
gentle tones, and cies “What! is the gay Fred: be
erick to be married 2”,
Then other and more gloomy ideas stole over
his imagination; and, in the twilight, the gray -
Confound it!” eried the per-
Se
dark’ mantles, their’ faces. concealed with wide ‘+:
slouched | ats whilst’ dagger-blades gleamed in s+
their hi
To ene + himself from these fancies, our hero | atest {
tempted to rise from his couch. Ie was weak and. ;
sore, but coold still walk, He asked himself ifthe «
accarsed Spaniard had not deceived him, and if he +,
would, ever retarn., The. silence which: reigned =,
around was by no. means: calculated to. re-assure -
him. » At mid-day, the light, as we have said, en-
tering by a narrow loop-hole, cast a tolerable quan-
rity of light into the apartment; bat now,as the... . #
evening approached, his eye coald scarcely distin-
gnish the distant limits of the cell. Uunger also ,
began to, attack him, for he had tasted nothing, ‘
since the night of the mortal supper.) The idea
struck him, “Will these savages really leave me to,
die by starvation 2” He cried aloud, and his voice, .-.
like that ofan imprisoned “bird, seemed to strike ho
against ‘the walls of his dungeon, but no answer
was heard. : ‘Me explored the place, striking the |
stones wits | & fragment of wood. torn from his, ~ .
worm-eaten couch, Everywhere the blows retary | “
ed a dull, heavy-sonnd, leaving no room to hope i in.
the vxistence of the slightest cavity.,
“Then, once more, nod bye P' "And the obdar-
ate stranger turned on his heel to depart.
‘*What‘ cheats are the romance writers?” mar- 3
moyed the captive, “who, when they imprison their, |
i : : :
