The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-02-07


gratlhcation of the moment In vain. were
the remonstrances Of Rolofski addressed TO
them, In vain did he picture the, even then.
perlious nature of their situation opposed To
such force and discipline their own power
was considered ample, and the fears of Ro
ioisKl deemed chimericul and vain. He had
conceived, however, too truly, for band of
the government forces burst suddenly upon
TINS spot, and an action commenced, that ter
minated IN the complete dispersion of the pat
riots and the triumph af their oppressors.-
koloiskIs farm, where many of the retreat
ing mad taken refuge, was assailed, and fired;
the names spread with rapidity-the shrieks
oil the afirShted and agonized wife and mo-
ther, were drowned in the absorbing tumut
OF the tight; Rolofski, beholding himself re-
duced to the last extremity, rushed upon the
ruthless destroyers of his little property, and
iought with that desperation which his sense
OF public wrong and personal injury inspired
but his effort was vain, for exhausted and
powerless, he sunk beneath the wheming
weight of superior numbers, and was, with
his infant boy, made prisoner.
Morning dawned, and the sun blazed with
Its full splendor over the spot where on the
previous day, the beautious cottage Of Rolof-
ski shone in its beams now they fell only
upon mass of smoking ruins lonely and des-
olate, the fearful evidence of the destruction
of the force of tyranny. One individual alone
stood gazing upon the mournful scene-one
young and beautiful being, in the silent agony
OF sorrow, stood gazing upon the smoking
ruins of her hitherto happy home 1t was
Christine-the wife and the mother-yester-
day in the enjoyment of the richest blessings
OF heaven, now reduced to the depths of an
guish and despair; like a fairy dream her
happiness had fioated away, and she stood
gazing upon the wreck, distracted, pale and
motionlessl Husband and child were torn
from her-that husband 50 tenderIy endeared
to her-that child so londly loved-both pris-
oners, taken in the very heat of rebellion,
whose punishment was instant DEATH She
shuddered as her imagination contemplated
the fearful result, and turning from the scene
of her burning home, she formed the resolu-
ton Of following the band that were CARRYING
away all that the world held dear to her. of
throwing herself at their feet, of imploring
mercy in the name of heaven, and trusting
to her agony and despair for the relief of her
husband and her child.
This was the natural resolution of an af-
fectionate woman, of woman whose soul
was bound to that Of her husband, not by the
ordinary ties of law, but by that divine chain
which should ever link the hearts of welded
beings-of woman estecmns existence but
for the enjoyment Of her husband and her
son, in whose happiness she lived, and in
whose death she could die, nor wish to live
when those should be torn from her. 1t was
the natural impulse of a wife's affection, that
induced Christine to follow the hasty march
of the despoilers Of her home-that impulse
txb fch off lint fro
quently without avail: too often is the hero
ism ofwoman despised, too often the dignity
of her character condemned, and her iutre-
pidity laughed to scorn. Christine arrived
at the camp, she made her way through the
revealing soldiery, and fell directly at the feet
of the commanding officer, and stretching out
her arms in duplication, exclaimed-' Mer-
cy, mercy forgive my misunderstood
my unofiending child The officer gazed
in establishment at the agony of the woman,
and Immediately raising her from the ground,
enquired the meaning of her supplication;
but ere he could finish his inquiry, Christine
had turned her languid eyes upon his coun-
tenance, and shrieking al the sight, shrunk
hastily away. 1t was her husbands rival
Wrelschof'l
'Christine.' exclaimed the officer, as he
recognized her. Chrisiine'
Mercy, mercy !. cried the agonized wife,
and again sunk in duplication at his feet.
Nay, rise Christine rejoined the officer,
so fair, SO dear friend, must not bend thus;
repeat your griefs, tell me the cause of all this
agony, and trust in my sincere DEERE to serve
YOU
MY husband and my child are prisoners =
Your husband, Christine Rolofski
prisoner The darling wish of my soul-my
first, best hope was, that might one day re-
pay the insult and the injury Rolofski nflict-
ed, in depriving me of my love; and now he
falls victim to the outraged laws, and is nv
prisoner
'Wrelschoff,' exclaimed the wife. you
surely do not contemplate rerenge You do
not mean TO punish my husband for the mere
act of loving me, of being beloved Oh no,
you will not, cannot be so cruel.'
Christine rejoined the officer, that low
ed you, fondly, passionately, you well know;
you know the restless days and sleepless
nights Of my boyhood, when this romantic
feeling possessed my soul, burned in my
heart, and maddened even my brain you
know that well. might have won you had
not this Rolofski come between US, and
snatched away the prize, at the very moment
| believed it truly mine Years have passed
since lDdr llDne-hOlOlskl mas DeeH happy
joyful degroom-Wrelschoff lonely sol
dier. In the intervals of military duty, the
form of Christine has ever presented itself,
and the enjoyment of Rolofski, my hated RI
val, perpetually REQUIRED. Then, then, in
these bitter moments have sworn, in the sa-
cred face of heaven, to revenge the injury, if
ever the chance of fate or fortune threw nv
rival in my power
% God.-you do not mean Interrupt
ted the agonized wife of the patriot
Christine! exclaimed the soldier, in deep
low, and determined tone, my feelings now
are as they were in my boyhood ;-Rolofski's
head is beneath the axe, and my vengeance
is satisfied You can save him-I need not
add the means
She hastily turned from the officer in in
dignation, and in proud and contemptuous
tone exclaimed, Christine is Polish wife
and knows her duty y
'Ay,' rejoined Wrelschoff, but Christine is
a Polish mother