The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-02-26
SELECTED TALES.
IFIom the New York Mirror.l
The lowering.


others poniards were tumuliuousiy assembled
opposite to the palace of the ex-imperial police.
A thousand confused voices. including every
sound from the deep bass Of athletic, falI-grown
patriots, TO the high treble screams OF women
and children. demanded in chorus Of frighnuI
discord the death OF an Individual
Ia the midst OF the principle gre up. the string
Of n broken lamp dangIe loose from the lamp
most; and children in rags. with wild and fero.
cious countenances, were laug hing. swinging.
and PLAYING with il. aud ever and anon convert
ing the end of it into a slip knot. The moon
shed its cold white beams upon the lvid feat
ures of spy. bound, enrircled. aud half smoth-
cred BY the pressure Of the dense crowd thirsi-
ing for his blood. which had come thifher 10 reek
their vengeance upon him. Overcome and mo-
tionless, he was in that state which is neither life
nor death. He looked al the crowd without ap-
pesring TO comprehend their meaning the
string was ready. and the knot slipped; the
brawny hands Of an extempore hangman were
upon him.
- Die die! thon vile traitor Praga is
burnt, the laacers are biting the sod, and Poland
/, bleeding; whilst thou and thine, those whom
thou lowest aud servest. would infict chains and
pestilcnce upon US! NOT a single cry of mercy
Ia raised in thy behaf not a regret nor con,-
plant uttered al thy doom. Even the women
pity thee not. Therefore must thou die. and
on this very spot. in front Of the palace Of the
Russian police for there hast thou drunk.
there hast thou sung-there, when il was cold
for us in Warsaw. thou hadst the warmth Of
spring at thy command Thence didst thou
look upon US scornf',lly as we passed cold and
suffering. There we warmed thee, and by our
toll Of slavery provided wine for thee there we
pampered thee at the expense of our romfous.
and our happiness. aud our freedom. Fool that
thou art; knowest thou not that the animal is
faitened before il il killed 7"
The string wassrrained. and the pulley squeak
ed. The unhapry man was hostrd slowly. and
the impatient crowd applsuded. On a sudden
the rumbling of heavily laden wagon was
heard at distance. The nearer it approached.
the more did il excite the attention Of the null
tiude. Il proceeded with difficulty along the
unpaved streets; but il stopped at length before
a neigh5oring baricade. All the spectators Of
the execution Immediately ran thilher. The
spy was left alone; the string by which he was
suspended had not been fastened. and the men
who held il letting go their hold. the hafstrag-
gleJ wretch fell To the ground.
What was the cause Of this reprieve The
spy hoped--wlat l cant tell. For super
natural aid. perhaps that miracle had been
performed to save him. or that the Russians
had entered Warsaw. But a sublime and pat
riotic strain resounded in his ears
Let the lanccrs die. and Poland live for ever -
followed by clappng Of hands. greetings cries
of JOY. The wagon conveyed the wounded
from Praga. IL contained those young and
brave Iancers who had gone forth so handsome
and so robust, and were now returned nutilated
arm sno,beT es ihira"S.., fet fet s lsti draaa9 ~
n veil over the suffering of these brave men,
They were singing in chorus;
"Irt the lancers die and Poland live for ever"
The crowd was instantly occupied in pull
h. k,. ,..,l. Il
wagon from passing. Surely there never was
before energetic and unanimous an operation
emmets alone display such amazing activity
Paving stones tuns, tirnbers, and chains, were
cleared and separated like the unrayeling Of u
knot OF tread. The street was soon cleared
the wagon passed through two lines of respect.
fu citizens. and. followed by The crowd, adyauc-
ed towards the man whose execution had been
suspended The latter, with the rope about
his neck, dared not move or call FOR assistance.
lest the attention of the populace should again
Ge directed towards him. But once more sur
rounded, he imp'ored for mercy.
Mercy" loudly repeated young wound
ed man from the wagon. He stood upright.
and his head was awkwardy bandaged with 4
linen saturated with blood. His words were
brief and his accent imposing. Mercy :" he
exclaimed, for this poor wretch. When
condemned criminal meets the kings carriage,
he is entitled TO his free pardon. Now, this
man has encountered wagon OF wounded pat
riois-a majesty which is perhaps, as good as
any other. Let il, in this ease, have the same
privilege. lie, the man live !" Fl
This voice Of clemency from n wounded pat.
riot. asking for the pardon of an enemy, carried
with it power thai subdued the anger OF the
multitude. The popalace is variable, and its
passions changeable. Each pressed forward TO
lberate the spy; his deverauce could not take
place too soon. An in6nny Of hands. seized
the string, crossed each ether. and pulled diff
ferent ways; unhappiiy they execured the
poor wretch 10 their very anxiety to save him.
= Thou art free! Ge, up and go about thy
business !"
The spy answered not. . ......
" Has fear then Killed thee !"
No. The spy dead: aud the people
who so lately had blasphemed at seeing him
alive, now grieved ior him. Fear and sadness
were expressed on the features OF ALL The
wagon ard the crowd rapidly quilted the
square. tAAetIt ~
Meantime the young wounded soldier had
fallen into strange reflections. The moonlight
had enabled him to recognize the features Of
the dead man; they were those Of Michel Lin.
ski. former comrade 10 Constsntine's quart,
and his rival in the affections of the youthful
Maria, when both wore the imperial livery
The revelation had taken place; the one had
remained in the service OF the Russians, the
other had deserted to serve his country.
Now that the wounded man had reco cnzcd
the victim Of both the popular wrath and the
popular humsniiy. he felt less grievsd at the
occurrence. lie had now no rival TO fear; and.
after all. Linski was base traitor.
Like hearse moving among the ton,bs. the
wagon slowly proceeded between two rows Of
houses, whose doors were carefully closed.
single window in one Of these dark dwelling,
still showed light. Who could be watching
at such an hour-a thief. or poetl Neither
was young girl Of rasisbiog beauty. On.
Of her elbows was supported oa a table. owe, |
which her elastic and YouIhlul i;nnre VA. arae.