Page:Peterson's Magazine 1842, Volume I.pdf/209

174 THE POLISH OFFICER. BY J, THORNTON,

It was a plained and time-worn manuscript which my friend brought out from his scrutoire, We drew one chairs closer to the Gre, when he opened the manu- seript and read.

It was in the over memorable and valiant attempt that Poland made to maintain ite independence against tyranny which miseil in the heart of every honest Pole, an indignant feeling toward his oppressors, and caused rebellion to raukle in his bosom und seek redress—it is of thet period I am now writing when man, rising from his bed of rest, feels himself still laboring under a burden too grievous to he borne. Before 1 proceed farther, it will be necessary to give @ brief outline of my boyish days,

‘When it was thought fit by a kind and indulgent parent, that my mind could bear the study of a boarding- school, I was sent from home, at a distance of ninety miles, where, from my first introduction, I found an acyuaintance with # fellow-boarder, and there soon ap- peared that congeniality of feeling and sentiment which promised to ensure us mutual happiness and comfort— we may well say “ We lived and loved together?” 1 never kept a secret from him but once, and he was the same os true and just to‘me. Time flies and discovers secrets, T had now completed my nincteenth year, and as revolts were daily occurring against Russian tyranny, and my father suffering under it personally, he procured me a commission to join the regiment immediataly, which was then lying at Warsaw. Iwas forced to go and leave may old companion, and one with whom, when the daily dutics were ended, I spent many moments; she whom T cherished at my heart with a bosom full of doubts, and hopes, and fears. I now revealed to her my ardent love, and found I was only echoing her own sentiments regarding myself, for me, and ine only, she said she loved and lived.

On my return bome to my companion, I told him of the only secret I had ever retained; and having paid great attention to my. relation, he burst into a food of tears, J was surprised at thie strange conduct, but soon found out the cause from his incoherent expressions. I was agonizad to see my companion suffering under cir- cumstances so painful—he, who when I was a youth, a stranger, and far from home, became to me @ brother and a friend, 1 hostened to Annette, and told her of this strango affair, when che, with that prompt alacrity which is characteristic of our Polish ladice, particularly in such affairs, complied with my earnest entreaties (and to provent the addresses of Nowistchy in my absence)

THE LADY'S

consented, with the permission of hgr purents, to become my wile.

‘On my return home, I found my companion still in the same excited state as 1 had left him. 1 gave him a slight hint of what had happened, which he seemed perfectly to understand. He in a few minutes aroused bimself from tho stupor and summoned up resolution to inguire when I should Ie: 1 told him on the morrow. He said, “I shall accompany you to whatever place or in whatever circumstances you may be.”

“Qh, Annettc! Farewell at last must come. Adieu! may Heaven guard ant protect you! Farewell—Fete- well!” Those who have really loved almost to idolatry, can only picture the feelings al our separation. We proceeded in silence, each buried in his own respective meditations, Nowislchy on a sudden exclaimed,

“Should Fate decree no return to your Annette, I will be to hera friend, a brother, or a husbund;” to which T cordially assented, after which conversation he appeared to resume his former wonted cheerfulness. Oh! Annette, bebold me dnly exercised in warlike duties, preparing for an engagement, perhaps never more to see you. The Russians are advancing. It was midnight,and now and then the distant peal of cannon could be beard rolling through the silence of the night; louder grew the soun and louder, till at last the warlike peal “to arms,” roused tus from our suspense. 1 recommended myeelf to God with a short and earnest prayer for my wife,

I was now prepared to meet the enemy. I sought Nowistchy, and found him in a deep thought; quite unconscious of what waa passing around till T aroused bie from his stupor. We embraced each other, and again repeated the promise respecting Annette. Now roara the cannon, and louder yet—* yea louder than the bolts of heaven”—ali confusion, man falls upon man. Oh, war! thou ignis fatuua, that drives desolation to the door of the rich, destruction and despair to that of the poor. The combat thickens, and fighting for our independence, with bravery doubly armed by a good cauae, this engagement was declared in our favor.

‘The conflict over, T sought my companion, and found him partly covered with the bodies of the slain, but breathing; having carricd him with ail speed to the hospital, the surgeon found he had only swooned from loss of blood, and had received no mortal injury; and after due attention and some restoratives he soon reco- vered. Immediately after the engagement, I wax ordered to a distant part of Poland, where the Russiana hed been committing their horrible deeds of war. Nowistchy, being on the sick tist was forced to remain; we were for the first time parted from our youth, and having embraced me and thanked me for his preservation of life, he once more repeated the promise, of “remember ing Annette.”

Thad been now marching from place to place, and

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