The Arkansas banner., 1850-04-16
THE ROMANCE OF REAL LIFH-.KATHlRlSR
 OF RESSIi

November, 1889, and heavily felI the saov asI.s
 bat darker were the prospects and heavier wac ,h.
 heart of the poor Lvenian he reached the ukir,,
 oi the dense forest saFrou adng the town of Maren
 burg. Misfortune had compelled the indivnnn, peasant tO the endearng relations that boo nj him to his native village, to bId final adieu 10 the scencs of his early days, to abandon his faVoyt,. haants of sacred memory, sad seek among atran. gers that which was denied him in the mids, of hi, friends. ~ l Accompanied by his first-horu, sDr,vhtlv vo,,h of fourteen, aud bearing iR his weary asma ,.ns, infant, the express image of her whom ha had lately consigned to the silent tomb, he had well nigh completed . faithfai journey through black I and inhosPitable region. A violent storm of wnov and wind (pecaIiar that dfeary coz ntryl fercev ragged, bearing destruction and desoation in lss nra gfess, and producing terror in the minds of the un sheltered wanderers. Overcome by inc severity of the cold and unable longer sustain his pyecioos charge, he carefully deposited n upon bed of not again. The early dawn had discovered a frozea corpse 10 the astonlshed tenants of obscure cot tsge in the outskirts of the quiet village.
 'Ireat Ged. what do 1 hear7' elaealated the pious minister, Shovrouski as it's subdusd cries of of distress falling upon his eager ear during tenn poraFy cessation of the storm, attracted his atteu ton to the fro1en embankment apoa which rested the deserted infant. He hesitated not to reflect upon the cruel misfortune that had bereft the in- faut of parental protecton nor did he waste time u the fruitless endeavor of discovering those who had abandoned their offspring to the pettfars of the storm. Eut, content 10 acknowledge the mysteri- ous agency of 'Him who doeth all things we'll" and 'heareth the young ravens when they cry,'' he fled with winged footsteps to its rescue. Wrap ping il in his ample cloak, he haatcned to reach his humble home. that he might minister to it's relief ere the spirit had fled to the undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller returns. Arrived st the peaceful cot, he consigned hts tender charge to the care of his kind hearted house-k eeper and again sailed forth in search Of other objects for his benevoence. He had not proceeded far before his attention was called to the melancholy scene before noticed:
 Papers were found upon the unfors6 nate stran- ger which induced the good minister to believe that he the parent Of the infant which he had rescued from the ruthless clements of the night before and no sooner was he impressed with the idea than the resolution was taken to adopt the tender babe as his own daughter, and tO bring it up in the path Of duty, and in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Ordering that the last tribute of respect he paid to the remains, according to the rites Of the Greek Church, he took charge of it's effects for the benefit Sf his youthful protege.
 Years passed away, and under the affections care and protection of the good pastor aud his be- nevoieat companion, Katharine (for such she was named by her foster parents} increased not only in personal beauty aud loveliness but as she grew in years. developed these peculiar graces aud dispos toAs which become an amiable and grateful dsugh- ter. Aud soon she was enabled, by assiduOas at- tention to the wants of their declining years. le testify her appreciation of their self sacrificing de- votion to her youthful days
 The Czar of Russia. not content with his widely extended dominions. and dasiroas of the conquest and annexation Of the province of Lvonia, had al- ready marched his forces upon its chief city. Ksth arine had attained her thirteen years when the for m'dabie cannoa announced 10 the inotfsnsive in- habitants the bombardment of their quiet town. .hv =. "isw to her safety. she separated from patriotic Skovrouski remained to assist in the de- fence of his native city. But the efforts of the beseged proved fruitess. and they were compelled to surrender captivss of war and subjects of the Emperor Of Russia.
 The hamating news spread like lightning. and no sooner did it reach the eager of Katharine, than she determined to return and share the fate of her benefactor
 The dusky shades of evening were just closing in a horse, reekiRg with foam, and almost ready 10 sink from exhaustion, reached the border of the wood nearest the gates of MArienburg. Emerging from the shade of the trees, it's progress was sud denly by soldier se.ziag the bride, ana rndely demanding;
 "whers you goipgl"
 'What IS lial to youl" was the peremptory re- ply. Il am in haste, and pray you allow me to pass unuIolested.'
 'ImpossihIe." replied the sentinel, "thou art st Livouian, pnd now LivoBis belongs thus day to Peter I, of Russia. You are. therefore. my pris- oner, and must be conducted before our general"
 Arrived at the gen erals tent, she threw herself al his feet, and demanded the privilege of seeking her protector among the slain. Moved al the sight of her youth. and astonished at her courage. the general granted her request on condition of her returning to him when she had completed her march.
 The night was dismal, snd the undertaking fearful one. but the difficulties dauntad not the resoIute Katharine. She soon came upon field covered with the unequal contest, while the groans ssd cries of anguish told that many still survived the slaughter
 latent alone upon discovering her more than father she did discover the presence of youag CosSack officer, who, struck with her charms, aud admring her boldness had accompanied her to the gory field.
 "The evening air is chilling, and this is place for woman; pray return, and leave to seek your wounded kinsman."
 Astouished al the sound of human voice, she turned and recognized in the stranger the seRtnsl who had impeded her progress withoHt the city walls. Refusing his generous offer. she permitted him 10 aid in her errAnd Of mercy and love.
 Icng and tedious was the search, but unavaiiinR and at early dawn they returnsd to the city. having failed to lind the remains Of the good old minister
 Katharine religiously kept her word, and surren- sfIiiRURS eSa'sag ROSIg sHsfai ~'' "-'"' "N-@
 Bereft of her preservsf and bsnsfaetor. she was now alone in the world. and young. with promise of long fe there were no lies to bind her to earth and she iongsd to join her P'oos and devoted guar dian A prisoner, she was treated with marked courtesy and respect by the gsneral-in-chisf, who ordered her well furnished apartments and every attention of her comfort and pleasure She also i received many kindBssses from the youthful Cos sack who at length became snsmored with her claims. and proved the strength of his attachment i by procuring her release from confinement. upon parole of honor and personal security fer het safety His assidaeas attsaton to her wants, and saraess eorts ia her behalf, were not without reward: for
 she soon come to regard him e her hope. her refuge and lord of her affections.
 The General and thsiyO otbesr, who appeared ! from his dress 10 be bat simple lisoieasnt, were the only occupants of the tent, and Katharine was employee in experimenting their domestic af- fairs.
 One day ss she was engaged in serving their GUS tomary meal, ther conversation turned upon the
 merits of their fair maid. and the young officer ikR tNa ala af hM