Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-03-17
A TALE OF POLAND.

IamD, Salo follSh captive, as she was
led by mental 10 his masters palace.
The girl was one Of those patriotic fe-
males, enrolled as a corps to provide
food and raiment for the valiant suffer-
inf sons Of degraded Poland. Eight
teen years had not kissed her cheek,
yet to her discretion paid homage.
The sword of the oppressor had al
ready drank the blood of her father,
the yawning gates of prison had in
tered her only brother, and grief for
the loss Of those she justly loved, had
made her mothcrlcss. Still her spirit
dropped not, ner did she bend when
the storm passed over her. She con-.
sidered it necessary offering to pur-
chase the emancipation of her country,
and stifled each selfish feeling. l need
not say she was beautiful; but she was
incomparably so. Virtue, beauty, and
the graces, it would seem, had struggled
for the supremacy. Like guardian
angel she appeared over the destinies
of her country; and in the hour Of dan
ger, she was ever near, nerving with
new energy the sinking soldiers, by
her energetic appeals to that God by
whom the weak are made strong 81
would" said she, ssthat the helmet
were fitted to woman's brow, that l
might become more active participa-
tor in this glorious achievement; that l
too might, gather unlading laurels for
my country, in the struggle that awaits
her. Again the providers for prey,
commanded by the fell tyrant, are at
our lrontiers.-Hitherto God has wro't
wonders for US. The most sanguine
expectations OF our friends have been
more than realized, whilst our enemies
have witnessed the destruction of their
fondest hopes. Our wives and daugh-
tiers, determined to share the dangers,
are already equipped, armed with faith,
and hope in heaven. They go forth to
administer consolation to the sick and
dying, and bind up their wounds. Let
the effort then sweep from the minds
Of our foe every expectation of our
country's downfall. Then wrongcd,
insulted Poland will be registered a.
mong the independent nations of the
EARTH"
This affecting appeal to the hearts Of
the officers was received, not in the
usual manner, with loud cheers, but ev-
cry knee was bent, and every eye rails
ed to heaven, and tremendously did
their voices blend in supplicating the
arm Of omnipotence in behalf of them
selves, their country, and this heaven
born spirit yelled in mortality.
The day dawned, and they were
ready to receive the enemy; they met,
and dreadful was the conflict. Often
were the Poles repulsed, and as often
did they CALAMITY return to the con-
test, shouting, Liberty or death!' The
soil was enriched by the blood of her
dearest sons, but the cry Of victory
mingled with the songs Of the convoy
/ that beckoned them away. The enc
my fled in wild disorder, after pro-
tracted struggle.
Wearied with the tolls Of war, the
soldiers returned to the camp, nor were
their women less in want Of rest. The
fair Adclia was alone insensible to ia
tigue, and as she was wandering about
the field Of battle, intent on her errand
of mercy, Life said she, may still
linger in some Of the fallen, and even
in deaths last agony, Imay point them
to a cruciied Saviour Superstitious
feelings she had none; but in the midst
Of her humane exertions, her arm was
suddenly grasped by ruffian, who, in
the hour Of danger, had fed from the
enemy's post. The offer, he knew,
would ensure his pardon, and procure
for him future favors from the Russian
commander, whose watch-word was
booty and beauty and to him did he
hasten with the dcfenceless but invalu-
able girl.
During the trial her fortude was in
vincible and the dignity other manner
awed even those to whom she was pre-
sented. The Russian officers had as
sembled under pretence Of concerning
measures to renew the engagement, but
in fact to spend the night in riot and
dissipation. The commander-in-chief
Of his majesty's forces, struck with the
beauty ofhis captive, ordered Hsr into
confinement; secretly determining a
private interview. to convince her Of
his power. For this purpose, even be-
fore the fumes Of the wine had passed
away, he was at the door of the cell.
She was kneeling in prayer. In behalf
OF Poland, did she fervently and hum
bly, ask that her captivity might in