Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-08-24

there are religions la ESggidllf,
.fFron, Sir n. ". Wmaalts Historical
Memoirs Of has o,cn time.
During the arst Writer that passed at
Vienna. in 1873, ] became acquainted
with the Count and Countess podotski.
She was Que Of the most beautiful aud
accomplished women of high rank. whom
I have seen on the Continent. Her hus-
band, a great Polish nobleman, hereditary
cup bearer, or" grand echaason" OF the
crown, had become in some measure an
Austrian subject, in consequence OF the
first partition of Poland, which took place
in 1772. His matrimonial estates lying
principally in that southern portion ofthe
kingdom which fell to the share of Maria
Theresa. he Of course repaired frequently
to Vienna (; between which capital and
Warsaw hedivided his time. During the
winter of1776. as the count and countess
podotski were on their way from Vienna
20 CracotE. the wolves which abound in
Tire Csrpattian mountains, rendered
more than ordinarily bold and ferocsous,
ia consequence OF the severity OF the
season descending in great numbers,
began to fellow the carriage between the
two little fnwns of0wiezk and E.ator;
the latter Of which places is only few
eaeues distant from Craccw. Ut two
servants who attended him, one had been
sent forward to Gator, for the purpose OF
procuring post horses. The other, q
Heyduc, to whor, he was much attached
on account of his fidelity, finding the
wolves rapidly gaining ground on
them. rode up. and exhorted the count
to permit hili. TO abandon to these
animals his horse; as such a prey
would naturally arrest their impetnosity,
and allow tine for the count and coun-
tess to reach Zator. Podotski immedl-
ateIy agreed to the proposal! and the
Heydue mounting behind the carriage,
LEFT his horse, Who was soon overtaken,
and torn in a thousand pieces.
They continued their journey mean
while with all possible speed, in the hope
of getting to the town, from which they
were at an inconsiderab!e distance. But,
their horses were bad and the wolves.
become more raveaous, as we'll as eager,
by having tasted blood, already were near
Nv UP with them. In this extremity, the
IIeyduc said TO his MASTER" There is
only enc way left tosaye MS. We shall
BE devourod in a few minutes. lam ready
to sacrifice myself. by going to meet the
wolves, If YOU will swear to be a father
to my wife and children. | shall be de-
stroyed but, while they are occupiedin
falling upon me, you may escape" Pc
lotski. after moments reluctance to
accept such an Offer, pressed heverthe-
by the prospect Of imminent destruc-
ton to.ti,em all. and seeing no prospect
of any other means of eXtrieation, con
sented and assured him that if he were
capable of deroting himself for Their COM
mon preservation, his family should find
in him a constant protector. The Hey
due instantly descending. advanced to
meet the wolves, who surrounded and
soon despatched him.. But, his magma
nimous sacrifice Of himself, by checking
the artlor eff their pursuit, allowed connt
Podotski time to reach the gates Of Ia
tor in safety. | ought not to omit that
the Hevduc was Dissident or Protes-
tant, while his master protested the Ca
tholic religion a circumstance which
greatly added to the merit and effect OF
the sacrifice. l believe count Podotski
most relig;cusly fulfilled his engagement,
to befrienl the family Of his faithful ser
want. For the honor of human nature,
we ought not TO suppose it possible that
he could fail or such point. cannot say
that have heard him relate this story
myself but have received it from
those persons who knew It's Authenticity,
and who recaunted it to me at Vienna,
while the>coant was engaged in tie same
room at play, n the i.eel Of the French
Ambassador. the baroi de EIetep], only