Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-03-20
MISCELLANY N Y.
KATHARINE OF RUSSIA.

Dark and dreadful was the night Of The twenty
fifth of November, 1859, and heavily fell the
snow flakes but darker were the prospects, and
heavier was the hear, of the poor Livonan, as he
reached the skirts Of the dense forest surrounding
the town Of Nlarienburg. Misfortune had compell-
cd the INDECENT peasant to sever the endearlng re-
la,ions thai bound him to his native village, TO bid
final adeu to the scenes of his early days, TO a
baudon his favorite hauns of sacred memory, and
seek among strangers that which was denied him
in the midst of his friends.
Accompanied by his first born, sprightly youth
of fourteen and bearing in his weary arms tender
infant, the express image of her whom he had late
ly consigned to the silent tomb, he had we'll nigh
completed faithful journey through black andin-
hospitable region. violent storm OF snow and
wind (pecuar 10 that dreaY country fieTcely rag
ed, bearing destruction and desolaon in lis pro-
gress and producing terror in the minds OF the un-
sheltered wanderers. Overcome by the severity of
the cold, and unable longer TO sustain his precious
charge, he carefully deposited it upon bed ofsnow,
and went in quest Of assistance and kind retreat
from the how!ing Storm But he returned not a
gain. The early dawn had discovered frozen
corpse to the astonshed tenants of an obscure cot
tage in the outskirts of the quiet village.
'sGreat God what do hear ?' calculated the
pious minister, Skovrouski as its subdued cries of
distress, falling upon his eager ear, during tenn
porary cessation of the storm, attracted his atten
iion to the frozen embankment upon which rested
the deserted infant He hesitated not to reflect up
on the cruel misfortune that had bereft the infant OF
parental protection; nor did he waste time in the
fruitess endeavor Of discovering those who had a.
bandoned their offspring to the peliIngsof the Storm
But. content to acknowledge the mysterious agency
of sHim who doelh all things wel,' and "heareth
the Young ravens when they cry" he fled with
winged footsteps to its rescue Wrapping it in his
ample cloak, he fastened to reach his humble home,
that he might minister to its rellefere the spirit had
fled to that undiscovered country from whose bourne
no traveller returns. Arrived at the peaceful cot,
he consigned his tender charge TO the care OF his
kind hearted housekeeper, and again sailed forth in
search of other objects for his benevolence He had
not proceeded far before his attention was called to
the melancholy scene before noticed
Papers were found upon the unfortunate stranger
which induced The good minister to believe that he
was the parent of the infant which ne had rescued
from the ruthless elements 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 The fear Of the Lord Ordering that the last
tribute of respect be paid 10 the remains, according
10 tn6 Tlt6S vi le OIeek ShulCI, HO wv" S'"' VI
its effects, for The benefit Of his youthful protege.
Years passed away, and under the aftectionate
care and protection Of the good pastor and his be-
nevolent companion, Katharine (for such she was
named by her fosier-parents) increased not only in
personal beauty and ioveness, but, as she grew in
wears, developed those peculiar graces and DISPOSE
lions which become an amiable and grateful daught-
er. And soon she was enabled, by assduous atten-
ton to The wants of their declining years, to TESTIFY
her appreeiaion of their sefsacridcng devotion To
her youthful days.
The Car of Russia, not content with his widely
extended dominions, and desirous OF the conquest
and annexation OF Livonia, had already matched
his forces upon its chief city, Katharine had attain
ed her thirteenth year when his formidable cannon
announced to the inoffensive Inhabitants. the bonn
bardment of their quiet town. With view to her
safety. she was separated from the aged pastor and
sent to his sister, Alexa. The patriotic SSovrousSi
remained to assist in the defence of his native city
But the efforts of the beseged proved frulless, and
they were compelled to surrender caPtives OF war
and subjects of the Emperor of Russia:
The humiliating news spread like iigh,n'ng' ana
no sooner did it reach the eager ears OF katnarhe
than she determined TO return and share 'ne Iate OF
her benefactor. The dusky shades of evening were
lust closing in as horse, reeklng with loam, ana
almost ready to sink from exhaustion, reachea lne
border of the wood nearest the gates Of Marlenburg
Emerging from the shade of the trees, IFS progress
was suddenly arrested by soldier selzlng the orl-
die, and rudely demanding
..Where are you going?"
"Nhat is that to you?" was the peremptory re-
py. 81 am in haste, and pray you allow Inc 10
pass unmolested."
"Impossible" !" replied the sentinel. "ihou ar, :,
Livonian, and now Livona belongs this day to re-
Ter |. of Russia. You are, therefore, my prisoner
and must be conducted before our general" :.
Arrived at the generals tent, she threw herself
at his feet, and demanded the privilege OF seeking
her protector among the slain. Moved at Inc s'gnl
of her youth, and asoniSbed at her courage lhe