Heroism And Cruelty

A most touctiing instanee of heroism, and one of' the most atrocious acts of emelty, the truth of which is vouched for by the most respectable authority, oecurrod during the Columbian struggle for independence. The Spanish General Morillo, the most bloodthirsty and treacherous tooi of the Spanish King, was created Count of Carthaginia and Marquis de la Peoria, for services which rather entitled him to be butcher or hangman. While seated in his tent one day, he saw a young boy before him drowned in tears. The chief domanded of him for what purpose he was there. The ehild replied that he had come to beg tbe lite oí' his fathcr, then a prisoner in Morrillo's cauip. " What can you do to save your fatberV" asked the General. " I can do but líttlfi ; but what I can shall be done," Morillo seized the littlo follow's ear, and said : " Would yon suffer your ear to be taken off to procure your fathov's lii'e f " I certainly would," was the undaunted reply. A soldier was accordingly called, and orderod to cut off the ear with a single stroke of the knife. The bey wept, but did not resist while the barbarous order was executed. " Would you lose your other ear rather than fail in your purposo?" wag thé next question. " I have Buffered much, but for my father I can suffer still," was the answer of the boy, The othür ear was taken off piecemeal, without flinching on the part of tho noble boy, " And now go !" cxolaimed Morillo, untouched by his sublime courage ; " the father of such a son must die." In the presence of his agonizod anc vainly suffering son, the patriot father was exeouted. Ncver did a Ufe picture exhibit such trutüful Ughts and shade in national character, such deep treacher ous villainy, such lofty, enthusiastio heroism !