Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-10-03
MISCELLANY. NJ
KATHARINE OF RUSSIA.

hA1HAR1NE OF RUSSIA.
Dark and dreadful was the night of the 25th
OF November, 1859, and heavily fell the snow
flakes, but darker was the prospect, and heavier
was the heart of the poor Livonian, as he reach
ed the skirts of the dense forest surrounding
the town of Mareburg. Misfortune had COM
PEELED the INDECENT peasant to sever the endear-
ing relations that bound him to his native vii
lage, to bid adieu to the scenes of his early
days, to abandon his favorite haunts of sacred
memory, and seek among strangers that which
was always denied him in the midst of his
friends
Accompanied by his first born--a spriehty
youth of fourteen-and bearing in his arms a
tender infant, the express image of her whom
he had lately consigned to the tomb, he had well
nigh completed faithful Journey through a
bleak and inhospitable region. A violent storm
of snow and wind (peculiar to the country
fiercely ragged, bearing destruction and desola-
ton in It's progress, and producing terror in the
minds of the unsheltered wanderers. Overcome
by the severity of the cold, and unable longer
TO sustain his precious charge, he carefully de-
posted it upon bed of snow, and went in quest
of assistance and kind retreat from bowling
storm. But he returned not again The early
dawn had discovered frozen corpse 10 the as
tonlshed tenants of an obscure cottage on the
outskirts Of the quiet village.
Great God what do hear Z calculated the
pious minister, Shovrouski, as its cries of dis
tress falling upon his eager ears during tenn
porary cessation of the storm, attracted his at
tention to the frozen embankment upon which
rested the infant. He hesitated not to reflect
upon the cruel misfortune that had berefi the
infant of parental protection, nor did he waste
time in the fruitless endeavor of discovering
those who abandoned their offspring to the
storm. But content TO acknowledge the mvs-
terious agency of Him who doeth all things
well, he fled with winged steps to its rescue
Wrapping it in his ample cloak, he hastened to
reach his humble home, that he might minister
to It's relief ere the spirit had fled to tina, unds-
covered country from whose bourne no travel
er returns. Arriving at the peaceful cot, he
consigned his tender charge to the care of his
kind-hearted honse-keeper, and again sailed
out in search of other objects for his benevo-
lence. He had not proceeded far before his at
tention was called to the melancholy scene be-
fore noticed. Papers were found upon the un-
IL ,I,,o l,Io
lister to believe that he was the parent of the in
fant that he had rescued from the ruthless ele-
ments 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 du
ty. and In the nurture and admonition of the
Lord. Ordering that the last tribute of respect
be paid to the remains, according to the rites of
the Greek Church, he took charge of all its
effects, for the particular benefit of his youthful
protege.
Years passed away, and, under the affection,
care and protection of the good pastor and his
benevolent companion, Katharine (for such she
was named by her foster parents) increased not
only in personal beauty and loveliness. but, as
she grew in years, developed those peculiar
graces and disposition which became an amia-
bic and grateful daughter AS soon as she was
enabled, by assiduous attention to the wants of
their declining years, to testify Misrepresentation
of their self-sacrifcing devotion to her youth
ful days.
The Gar of Russia, not content with his
widely extended domains, and desirous of the
conquest and annexation of the provinces of Ii
vonia, had already marched his forces upon its
chief city
Katherine had attained her thirteenth year
when his formidable cannon announced TO the
inoffensive inhabitants the bombardment Of their
qniet town. With a view to her safety, she
was separated from her aged pastor, and sent to
his sister Alexia.
The patriotic Skovrouski remained to assist
in the defence of his native city. But the eff
forts of the beseiged proved fruitless, and they
were compelled to surrender captives Of war,
and subjects to the Emperor of Russia
The humiliating news spread like lightning,
and no sooner did it reach the eager ears of
Katherine than she determined to return and
share the fate of her benefactor.
The dusky shades ofevening was just closing
in as horse, reeking with foam, and almost
ready to sink from exhaustion, reached the bor-
der of the wood nearest the gates of Marien-
berg. Emerging from the shade of tree,
its progress was very suddenly arrested by
soldier, who seized the bride, and rudely de-
manding,
where are you goingr
What is that to youl' was the reply Il
am in haste and pray you to allow me to pass
unmolested.'
'Impossiblel = replied the sentinel; thou
art a Livonian, and now Livonia belongs to Pc
ter |, of Russia. You are, therefore, my
prisoner, and must be conducted before our
General
Arriving at the Generals tent, she threw her.
self at his feet, and demanded the privilege of
seeking her protector among the slain. Moved
at 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, and the undertakings
fearful one, but the difficulties daunted not the
resolute Katharine. She soon came upon the