1 lit 'WE CO WHERE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES POINT THE WAY; WHEN THEY CEASE TO LEAD, WK CEASE JO FOLLOW. BY JOHN G. GIVEN. EBENSBURG, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1850. VOL. C ISO. 21. IT II li lt I - . J J I la I II II : 1 I I 1 I MISCELLANEOUS - 1 T Tlic Brazilian Bride IS TWO PARTS. PART II. Time glided by unheeded; ihe London season was near its close, when one morn ing at breakfast, Mr. Mordaunt observed, "Well Alonzo, lime gets on; we are now in July, and before the end of October you must be safely landed at Rio. We must secure . your passage in the next month's steamer. All this was well known and fully ex pected, yet did the intimation astouud Al onzo. "So soon! can it be possible." The same evening they weie en famille at the Countess's; and whist and chess tables were arranged 39 usual. "What are you thinking about Don: Alonzo, to make such a move as that?' inquired Viola; "you are a little absent out of spirits this evening." "I ought not to be so," said Alonzo try ing to rally, "for we have been busy all day planning and arranging about our voy age home" "Indeed" said Viola. Alonzo thought she sighed; certainly, she in her turn made a falae move. Soon after a servant en tered with a cass cf jewels belonging to Viola; which had returned from being re paired; while looking at them Alonzo ob served, that she wa3 not a little envied by the London belles for the splendor of her jewels. "How comes it," said she "that I never see you wear any ornaments, not even a ring? Our young Brazilian beau are nat urally so fond of these decorations!" 1 assure you," said Mr. Mordaunt, looking off his cards, "that Don Alonzo has one of the most superb rings I ever saw a single yellow diamond, of great value." Alonzo felt irritated, he scarcely knew why, and replied in a bitter sarcastic tone, quite unusual with him: "Yes I have a vellow diamond indeed, that I never wish a to see or to show to any one else." The words were scarcely out of his mouth before he felt their impropriety. "Draw your card my lady, if you please" laid Mr. Mordaunt. Check!" cried Alonzo, and with an effort looked at Violi. She was leaning on her hand; and her large, black and bril liant eyes, with their long upturned lashes were fixed on his. He started at the look why or wherefore he could not imagine. The eyes were withdrawn and the game continued. A few evenings after, he was leading her from a dance to place her as usual, by the side of the Countess; they had to trav erse three or four crowded rooms before they could reach the one where her lady ship was seated at whist; they moved very lowly and loiteringly along, seemingly in no great hurry to arrive at their destina tion. "Are you really going to leave us next month, Don Alonzo?" Really; and you, Donna Viola, what becomes of you?" "I go to Portugal." "And there? said Alonzo in an inquir ing tone. "Oh, there we shall noi remain long; our Brazilian property will require our presence." "Then we shall meet again," saidAlon- xo eagerly. "I hope so I dare say in a few months. "Well, that is some com lort!" and he seemed to respire more freely; then after a pause "but I shall never again meet "But Viola, Don Alonzo," she replied firmly, "will meet you as she has always met you; what she has been, she will con tinue to be your sincere and affectionate friend." . "Thank you, Viola, thank you! but pray do not speak another word to mejust now." He placed her in her seat, and without looking at her he turned away and left the house. . . r Mr.' Mordaunt had accepted the press ing invitation of Alonzo to accompany him to Brazil; their passage was taken, and their preparations well forward. Alonzo paid his farewell visits, and did all that was necessary on the occasion with the most perfect composure. - - - - A passage was also taken for Viola and her suite in the Lisbon packet, and the day was fixed for her leaving town for Fal mouth. The day following was decided on by Alonzo for the same purpose, but this he managed to conceal from her. : The morning before her departure, he called on the Countess. "You arc come to take leave of Donna Viola," said her ladyship. . . , ' "No, I am not; I am come to take leave of you (or I also am. on the eve of quit ting London) and io..lhank yon for all your kind attention.-' "But why not Viola?" said the Count ess; "she will be so disappointed." "It is better I should not." "But what am I to say to her?" inquired she. ' "Precisely what I have just said mat it is better 1 should not." The Countess returned no reply; and with all good wishes on each side, they parted. The weather was beautiful, and Mr. Mordaunt appeared to enjoy his journey exceedingly; but Alonzo was absorbed in though t, and it was only now and then, when Mr. Mordaunt touched upon his ap proaching meeting with his father, and his old Rio friends, that Alonzo could be roused for a moment. At the inns, too, he occasionally heard something that at tracted his silent attention, of the beauti ful young foreigner who had passed the day before. They arrived at Falmouth in the morn ing to breakfast. With a beating heart, Alonzo inquired concerning the foreign lady and the Lisbon packet; the lady had gone on board the evening before, and the Lisbon and Rio packets were to sail early on the following morning. After breakfast, the two gentlemen were engaged superintending the embarkation of their servants and baggage, and having taken an early dinner went on board. It was a lovely evening. Alonzo glan ced at the merry arid busy town of Fal mouth, the numerous vessels and the broad Atlantic, which lay stretched out before him; then his eye fixed as though there were nothing else worth looking at, on the small vessel that lay nearest tojhim. He suddenly left his station, descended into a boat, and was in a few minutes on board. In the outer cabin he met the duenna, who looked vely much surprised at seeing him; but, without speaking throw open ihe door of the after-cabin he entered, and the door closed behind him. Viola lay on a couch, apparently ab sorbed in reading; the noise startled her, and she looked up; but nothing can express the astonishment painted on iter counte nance at the sight of Alonzo, who stood fixed as a statue before: her. She sprang from the couch, and evidently her first feeling was to run towards him, but prob ably the strangeness of his look and de meanor arrested her; for she checked her self and exclaimed "Don Alonzo!" Viola!" said he seizing her both hands and gently forcing her to return to the seat she had left; "Viola!" (the word seemed to choke him) "I cannot live without you you are yet free have pity on me!" "Alonzo," she asked in a tremulous voice, "are you free?". "I am not irrevocably bound." In a moment she seemed to recover her self-possession, and replied. "Then I must tell you that J am. You are laboring un der a fatal erior; vou think I am but en engaged am married. But stayP'she exclaimed-alarmed at the effect of her com munication 'stay! one moment! Alon zo! I beseech you!" It was in vain; he almost shook her off rushed to his boat, and in a few minutes was on board of his own vessel, he pushed 6y Mr. Mordaunt, and everybody and ev erything that impeded his way to his cabin where, locking the door, he threw himself on his bed, in a state of mind not to be described. Mr. Mordaunt took possession of the boat Alonzo had quitted, went on board the Lisbon packet and had an interview with Donna Viola. At daybreak the following morning, Alonzo wrapped in a cloak, and his hat slouched over his brow, stood on the deck watching, with gloomy composure, the Lisbon packet getting under weigh, she soon began to move a few minutes more and she was dashing through the water close beside him. Desperate thoughts for an instant darkened his mind; a feeling of revenge and despair beset him, and he felt a strong temptation to plunge into the wake of the flying vessel when one of the latticed windows of the after-cabin was suddenly thrown open; he saw a waving handkerchief, and then the form of Viola herself, her eyes streaming withtears, kis sing both her hands and waving them to him. He had just time to return the sal utation; his dark purpose vanished, the weakness of his mother came over him, and he wept. "She loves me!" that thought alone, single and abstracted brought back the blood in a rush of transport to his heart "she loves me! and nobly sets me the example of a virtuous submision to our fate!" .. .. .' , A friendly. hancL. at that moment was laid on his; Mr. Mordaunt drew him to his cabin. "Alonzo," he said, "I have been sadly to blame- I ought to have fore seen and guarded against all this. Donna Viola,. whom I saw last evening bade me give yon this note," putting one into his hand. Alonzo tore it open: "Alonzo, I con jure you for the sake of your father for my sake struggle against your fatal and hopeless passion! We shall very soon meet again let us meet in peace, in inno cence, and friendship! Heaven bless you and Heaven forgive us both, for we have been much to blame!- Viola." ; Viola was very inexperienced, and Mr.' Mordaunt knew very little about . love, otherwise Alonzo had never received this note, which only added fuel to the flame; he kept it next his heart, and read it every day during their passage. He questioned Mr. Mordaunt closely concerning his in terview with Viola the preceding evening, aud especially inquired whether he could give him any information concerning her husband. "I am told," he said, "that he is a man of high rank, very rich, old and infirm, ilehas married the orphan daugh ter of his friend merely as a safeguard to her and her property - in these dangerous times." At this intelligence, Alonzo's heart bounded with secret joy; he became comparatively tranquil, but he would not analyze his feelings- he dared not. A few weeks brougiit them to Rio. On entering this supreb harbor Mr. Mordaunt was struck with admiration at the magnifi cent and beautiful scenery that surrounded him; but to the heart of Alonzo it spoke vet more feelingly; entwined as it was with all his dear and early associations. He could have kissed the black and barren rock of the Sugar-loaf; it was passed, jand threw open the graceful sweep of the Bay of Botafogo, surrounded with its wooded and lofty mountains; this too was passed, and the harbor of Rio appeared. Great political changes had taken place and the Imperial flag waved upon every fort and hill. The visiting boat approached and by the side of the officer sat Alonzo's x watchful and expecting father, who in a few minutes more was locked in the arms of his son. On their landing, friends crowded round them; in the afternoon they visited the good, kind Abbessand the eve ning was employed in renewing Alonzo's recollections of his vounsr female friends most of Wjhoni had now become wives and mothers; and those whom he had known as children had started up into young wo men, a process remarkably rapid in that country. He was pleased to observe the vast improvement that, even during the short period of his absence, had taken place at Rio, as far as concerned the com forts and refinements of domestic life. On the following morning he was presented at court; in short, for two or three days, he had not leisure even to look melan choly. " But one morning after breakfast, (a time universally agreed upon for making disa greeable communications,) his father in formed him that, in about a month, Donna Isabella might be expected, with her father and aunt. "I have taken a temporary residence for you, which I think you will like, at Botafogo, (1 say temporary, for you will soon be offered, what you most desire, a diplomatic mission to Europe;) and the furnishing and arranging this resi dence has been my hobby for the last six months. If you and Mr. Mordaunt have no objection, we will ride to see it this af ternoon." "If you please, sir," was the only reply; and, accordingly, at the ap pointed time they set out. The house and situation were both delightful; the furni ture tasteful and costly. The apartment peculiarly appropriated to Donna Isabella, and called her garden room, opened into a delicious parterre; it contained a table for needle-work and drawing book cases filled with a choice collection in English, French and Italian; there were also a piano, harp, and guitar. "Is Donna Isabella such a proficient in music?" asked Alonzo, with a sarcastic smile. "She is, I believe, very fond of it," quietly replied the Marquess. Alon zo, with much warmth and sincerity, thanked his father for the kind pains he had taken; then sighed, and thought how happy he could be here with certainly not with Donna Isabella. After the first novelty of his arrival had worn off.-Alonzo relapsed into sadness; a settled gloom was gathering on his youth ful brow, a sickening indifference "to all around was gradually stealing over him. His father and Mr. Mordaunt did all they could to arouse and attract his attention. Excursions into the country were fre quently made, especially to the botanical garden, about six miles from the city. It is arranged with exquisite order and good taste, encircled by bold and rugged mountain-scenery, opening towards the ocean. reposing in all its richness of floral beauty, with its shady and stately trees, its leafy bowers and gushing streams, like a gem in the wilderness like the decked and lovely bride of a dark-browed warrior in those stern days of; "auld lang syne," of which one loves to dream in spots like these. Water parties to the many beauti ful islandssociety and ', study were all tried, and in vain; every day, every hour, seemed to increase the despondency "of Alonzo; but he never complained, never even touched in any way upon the subject j mat caused it. . Upwards of three waeks passed in. this manner. Alonzo was fond of the society of the Abbess; with the unerring tact of ner sex, she managed his present mood; she would sit opposite to him,' employed at her old fashioned embroidery frame,' for an hour without "speaking; this was just what he liked.: One 'afternoon he had ensconced himself in his accustomed seat in her little grated parlor; he scarcely observed her en trance, but instead of seating herself at her frame, she stepped towards him. Alonzo, I am glad you have come, for I was just going to send for you." "To send for me?" repeated he, listless ly. '"" "Yes, a friend of yours has arrived at the convent, and wishes to see you." "A friend of mine!" 'You recollect, I suppose, Donna Viola de Montezuma?" He started from his seat the shock was electric. "Viola, did you say! Donna Viola! recollect her! what of her? what of her?" "She has become a widow." "Go on!" "She arrived at Lisbon just in time to receive the last breath of her expiring hus band. After the funeral, she consigned her affairs there into proper hands, and delayed not a moment in returning to this countrj', where they demand her instant attention. She arrived yesterday, and re mains here for a short time. She wishes to see you." "I am ready," said Alonzo. The Abbess left the room. "This is too too much!" he exclaimed aloud, ?s he paced the little parlor with hurried steps. A slight rustling near the gate ar rested him; it was Viola, in deep mourn ing, looking mqre lovely and interesting than ever. She presented him her hand Jrough the gate he knelt, and pressed i it to his lips, to his heart, to his burning forehead. "Alonzo, she said, m the kind est and most soothing tone, "I have heard from the Abbess of your marriage, and I fear that I have innocently contributed to render that, which might have proved the highest blessing, a source of bitter misery. What can I do but to entreat you to arm yourself with the resolution of acting right? I confess that your forcing me to lose my esteem for you, would be the greatest pain you could inflict, even although your af fection for me were the cause. Promise me, Alonzo " He hastily interrupted her: "I will pro mise nothing nothing! Heaven grant that I may do what is right, but in the present state of my mind, I will pass my word for nothing." Viola sighed. "Well," she resumed, "I will see whether Alonzo be really what j I believed him, or not. I shall see wheth er he be capable of sacrificing the happi. ness of his young and innocent wife, and of his doating father his own honor and principles, to the shadow of a shade; for such is all hope of me. Heaven bless you, Alonzo! and support you through this trial! You have my prayers, my best, my warm est wishes; deserve to be happy, and leave the rest to Providence. She disappeared; he still remained kneel ing at the grate, apparenUy wrapt in tho't. At length, a ray of light seemed to break through the darkness that surrounded him; a single spark of hope saved him from ut ter despaii. He decided that, in his first interview with Donna Isabella, he would reveal every secret of his heart; he would conjure her, as she valued their mutual happiness, to assist him in breaking the tie that had been made between them. He would recall to her recollection the fatal hour of their union, when reluctance on his side, and necessity of absolute force on hers, formed but an evil omen of future concord. Since that moment they had never met, had never even corresponded; he had formed elsewhere a deep and seri ous attachment, and so. perhaps had she. As to the debt he had incurred towards her and her family, with a little time and indulgence it would be cleared, as the property in Portugal was on the eve of being restored to his father. J hus, if they acted with determination, aud in unison, there could be no doubt of their succeed ing in breaking the galling fetters in which the mistaken zeal of their - relatives had bound them. "If," he exclaimed, "she be not utterly devoid of the common prido and delicacy of her sex, there is but one step to take; she will she must take It and I shall become free and happy!" " Full of this thought, he left the convent; and, on his return home, sought Mr. Mor daunt; and laid his project before him. Mr. Mordaunt listened with the utmost kindness and sympathy. He saw but one objection to the attempt; if Donna Isabella, in spite of all he could urge, should refuse to enter into his views how much wider would it make the breach between them! how much would it diminish their chance of happiness! But to this side of the pic ture Alonzo absolutely refused to turn; and Mr. Mordaunt, seeing him perfectly re solved, gave up the point; glad, at all events, that Alonzo had even this slight support to lean upon until the crisis arri ved. ' At the top of the Marquess's small and rather inconvenient abode was a room in which, on account of its height and airi ness, and the view of the harbor it com manded, the gentleman preferred to break fast, and to spend the morning in; a spy glass was fixed here, to which, of late, the eye of the Marquess had been often and anxiously applied. One morning, about a week after the scenes just described, the Marquess seemed . more than usually on the alert, watching the approach of a fine Brazilian merchant-ship. "Is she. near the fort?"- "here she comes" "she is abreast of it" "now for it!" and as he spoke, up flew a private signal. The Marquess clasped his hands, and exclaim ed in a half-whisper to Mr. Mordaunt, "Thank heaven, there they are at last!" and the two gentleman instantly left the room. "Well," thought Alonzo, "I am not bound to know that there they are at last, until I am informed of it;" and he tried again to rivet his attention to his study. Three intolerably long hours passed awav; a note was then brought to him from the Marquess: "Donna Isabella, her aunt and father have arrived, and are now at Bota fogo. The two ladies are somewhat fa-' tigued, and prefer not receiving you until the evening; therefore, between seven and eight, Mr. Mordaunt and the carriage will be at your door." Alonzo sent away his untouched dinner; he dressed cn grande toilettes and, taking down Walter Scott's last new novel, strove to fix his attention on its delightful pages, Alonzo had generally the power oi exer cising great mastery over his mind; to an indifferent observer he would appear ra ther cold, reserved, and not easily acted upon in any way; but, when his feelings once burst their barrier, it was with a vio lence proportioned to the restraint he had thrown over them. At half-past seven, the carriage drew up to the door, and Alonzo immediately de scended to it. "I am glad to see you are : quite ready," said Mr. Mordaunt, as he j entered; the door closed, and they drove off. "You have seen Donna Isabella?" in quired Alonzo. "Yes, I have," was the laconic reply, with evidently a wish of saying no more. After a considerable pause, Mr. Mordaunt asked whether he still kept to his purpose. "Certainly," said Alonzo firmly, and no further conversation passed. Half an hour brought them to their des tination; with a throbbing heart, Alonzo descended from the carriage. They were shown into the grand sala, brilliantly light ed. Here were assembled Senhor Josef and Senhora Theresa, the Marquess, and the Abbess, with an attendant nun:the old j lady had not left her convent lor many years, but on this occasion she was deter mined to be present. Alonzo saluted Senhor Josef and his sister with gravity, but perfect and sincere kind ness; he kissed the hand of his aunt; then, turning to his father, begged to know where he might find Donna Isabella, "She waits for you in her garden-room," replied the Marquess, Alonzo bowed, and left the sala. He struggled successfully to continue the same appearance of composure, as he passed along the corridor which led to the garden-room; the door was ajar, he enter ed and closed it. The room was only lighted by a single Grecian lamp, suspended from the centre; the latticed doors leading to the garden were thrown open, and the moonbeams quivered brightly on the rich festoons of flowers and foliage that twined around them. Leaning on the harp near the fur thest door, stood a lady magnificently dressed as a bride; one hand hung listless ly at her side, in the other were gathered the folds of her veil, in which her face was buried, Alonzo advanced, and altho' somewhat piepared for a favorable altera tion, he was struck with astonishment at the exquisitely fine and graceful form that stood before him. "Donna Isabella, 1 believe;"- no reply, and no change of position. He approached a Utile nearer, and ventured to take the unoccupicdjiand, whose, slight and delicate fingers were covered with gems, but on the arm was only a single - bracelet,' and that was of pink topaz. Donna .Isabella, I venture to claim a few minutes' private conversa tion with you, on a subject that deeply concerns the happiuess of us both; permit mc to lead you to a seat." lie paused the emotion that visibly pervaded her whole frame ponvinced him that at least ho was not addressing a stutuc. Suddenly, she raised her head, clasped her hands, and bunk on her knees at lib feet, Alonzo recoiled, as though a supernatural appear, ance had presented itself, while, with a tone that thrilled through heart and brain she exclaimed - "Alcnzo, can yon forgive ne! . It was Viola! "Can you forgive me, for all the deception I have practised, aud caused others to practice? May the prize I strove foT my husband's heartplead my ex cuse! I know it will!" - While she spoke, Alonzo in some de gree recovered himself. He raised up She beautiful suppliant, and folding her in si lence to his breast, kissed her with pure, intense, and devoted affection. He could not speak; he thought not, and cared not how it had all been brought about; he only knew and felt that his wife was in his arms, and that that wife was Viola. The party in drawing-room, to when the duenna was now added, were in an agony of impatient expectation. The Mar quess at length led the way, and they all crept sofdy along the passage: "May we come in?" "Come in!" said Alonzo; ths first words he hnd spoken since the de:ioue.Tient. Their entrance dispersed, in a great measure, the concentrated feelings of Alonzo, and he became attentive to learn the mechanism by wh'ch his present hap piness had been eXcte'. it appeared that the prepossession Isabella had con ceived for her husband at the altar, had produced a strking change on her, as love did on Cymon. Ill health, the absence of the usual means of education at St. Paul's, the ignorance and weak indul gence of those with whom sho resided, had allowed weeds to spring up and choka the rich treasures of her mind- However, she accompanied the Maiquess from St. Paul's, and was, placed by him under the, charge of the Abbess, where, in thrrw years, her improvement in health, beauty, and mental attainments astonished a!l those who observed her. The two years she passed in England, under the meat judicious care, had brought her to that point of perfection to which she had new arrived.- - - Alonzo had not the slightest recollect'oa of any of her features except, her eyes, which on the day of their union had that large sizo and troubled expression which usually attend ill health. He could now account for the startling recollections that had passed over him oue evening at thw chess-beard; the look she then gave, anl that with which she had impressed him on her leaving the oratory, were the same. "And you, my grave and worthy tu tor'" said Alonzo, addressing Mr, Mor daunt, "did you join in this powerful league against me! ' ' ' ' I "I confess," replied Mr, Mordaunt, "that I was in the service of the enemy; so much so that, on the evening you first met Donna Viola, and were introduced to her at the Opera, I knew beforehand that such a moeting and such an introduction would take place. I take this opportu nity, however, of hinting, that you may thank your own impetuosiy that the "dis covery was not prematurely advanced on board of the Lisbon packet; for Donna Viola, terrified at your vehemence, would have revealed the whole truth, could she but have prevailed upon you to stay and hear it." Alas, for my vehemence!'' exclaimed Alonzo; and trying to collect his puzzled thoughts, he turned to the Abbess. "And you too, my dear aunt you too, my Lady Abbess! it is well you have the po.ver of absolving yourself for all those tittle fits you tld me the other day." m "May Our Lady grant me absolution," replied the good Abbess, devoutly, "for whatsover stain of sin I miyhave contrac ted by playing a part in this masque!" "Supper! supper!" cried out the Mar quess, as he marshalled them the way. Alonzo seized his Viola (for thus he ever after named her, as if he dreaded that some magical delusion would again snatch her from his sight) and never dib a set of happier creatures meet than thosi which now encireled the sumptuous ban quet prepared in honor of his Brazilian wedding. rWhen a rakish youth goes astray, friends gather around him in ordt r to re store him to the paths" of virtue. Gentle ness and kindness are lavished upon him to win hiiu lack again tp innocence and peace. No one would suspect that lie had ever sinned. But when a poor, weak con fiding girl is betrayed, she receives the brand of society, and is henceforth driven from the ways of virtue The betrayer is honored, respected aud esteemed; but his mine d, heart bn ken victim knows there is no peart for her this side of the gravp, Society I as i o helping hand fur her, no smile, of peace, no voice of forgive ness. These are earthly moralities they arc unknown of heaven- There is a dee wiong in thctn, and fearful are tlvcqnssr queuces. i
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers