The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-02-14

poor boy, but the lips of the guard were seal
ed, and he obtained no reply.
Madam, your child' exclaimed Wrel-
schoff, as he entered the apartment of Chris
tine with the boy. The mother shrieked at
the sight of her darling, and springing towards
him, clasped her arms around his little form
and pressing him to her maternal bosom, min
gled her tears with his.
Madam continued Wrelschoff, the
child again is mine
And its father 2 enquired Christine, in a
burst of agony.
is my prisonern
Gracious heaven forbid she cried, and
pressing her boy more passionately to her
throbbng heart, gave vent to her agony in
| tears.
Fortune has favored me, Christine ex-
claimed the officer, 'and led within my power
those beings that have produced such anguish
in my heart, such madness in my bosom
Vengeance, Christine, will be satisfied, your
( husband dies y
/ 'Oh no, you cannot be SO very, very cruel,
/ Wrelschoh.'
There is no cruelty, Christian, in a most
dear reuenge.'
Revenge is monstrous, Wrelschoff; more
fit for demons than for men,
/ Then men should not provoke it, said the
officer, in decisive tone; the die is cast, and
Christine seals her husbands DOOM
II exclaimed the agonized mother.
! You know the means by which he may be
saved
'Oh, yes rejoined Christine, and kissing
the white forehead of her boy, she pressed
him fondly to her bosom, and exclaimed, i
know, too, that Nicholas Rolofski would rath-
er yield his life upon scaffold, or at the can
mons mouth, than that Christine should render
herself unworthy the distinction of Polish
wife,
You have resolved = enquired Wrelschofi
and his eyes flashed fire as he spoke.
Il have was the calm and dignifed reply.
Then be il So cried Wrelschof, snatch
ing the boy from his mothers arms, and de-
livering him 60 the guard-'Le it be as
have ordered and the guard Withdrew with
the child
! Monster, what is it you do give me
back my childn cried the trembling mother,
as the door closed upon them.
.Ay, ay,' replied Wrelschoff, by-and-by
the boy shall return he has first a deed to ex-
ecute,-to serve his country and his king
What is it you meant
! There is a traitor to be shot to-day, and it
is resolved that the boys hand shall be tried
upon the firing of the annon;-that madam,
is all y
'Ah' rcjoined Christine. my mind pict-
ures scene of horror. Wrelschoff, your
( looks confirm my fears; who, tell me, who is
/ the boy TO shootl'
/ The traitor, Nicholas Rolofski.'
'Ohno, oh no, you cannot be so monsrousi y
( shrieked Christine. Recall those words, tell
me they are false,-are but to try me; say
/ you would cheat me to dishonor. and let me
picture such scene no more
! Christine, it is resolved on but the faith
er's face will be concealed, and he will moi
know who it is that fires the instrument Of
death,-neither will the boy be aware of the
individual who receives destruction. Behold,
confined he, christening an iron window thai
had overlooked the parade, behold the prepar-
ations for the execution
| Christine, gazed from the window, and be-
held the soldiers drawn up in military array
preparatory to the scene of death that was tc
ensue: the cannon that was to destroy hel
husband was fixed, and her boy, her darling
boy, was by its side, holding the lighted match
that was to fire the fearful instrument, wholly
unconscious of the being whom he would de-
child's hand, and every thing appeared ready
for the ceremony. Christine instantly avert
ed her glance, and fell at the feet of the au
thcr of this scene of horror.
For the love of Godn cried she by the
hope of heaven, stop these dreadful prepare
tions 1T is Christine that has placed he
child with alighted matchat the lannon's. head
and gives the signal for the destruction of Ro
lofskir
Monster, monster exclaimed she, how
can you force me to this state Of sufferingl
'One word, Christine, and your husband
saved. Behold
The procession was how seen advancing
towards the scene of death. Rolofski, appa
rently resigned to his impending fate, received
the religious consolation of the holy men tina
attended him, with composure and placidity
!, and beheld the engine of destruction withou
the least emotion or dismay.
He does not fear to die y energetically ex
claimed Christine. He falls as a Polisl
patriot should fall, and heaven will receiv,
J his soul But my boy
| 'One moment longer, Christine and you
resolve is of no avail say must he perish
Not by the hand of his child You vii
not, dare not be so barbarous!'
He diesl' cried the officer, and hastil,
quilted the apartment.
Christine shrieked as she saw him depart
7 she followed him to the door, but it was clos
ed, fast and firm; she heard the bolts jar Il
d the iron clasps, and she turned away dscon
ISOLATE. The guard was her only companion
7 but he was mute and sullen, Reflector over
] powed her, and she sank upon her seat motion
d less, gazing upon vacancy, her thoughts to
< great for utterance, too violent for tears
: The trumpet announcing the arrival of tn
: commanding officer upon the scene of dealt
s awakened her from her stupor; she shrieke
d and turning to the window from whenc
= Wrelschofr had directed her attention to tn
5 preparations for the execution, discovere
that it had not been closed; in the impuls
|, of the moment, the distracted mother sprun