New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-09-30
STORY OF LADIsLAs PAGORsKI,
Gbs 3]nIist }9atrist.

anu was made Colonel at the age of twenty
six. After the surrender of Warsaw, he took
refuge in France Ladislas Pagorsh was not
man to waste his time in idleness. Residing in
an upper room in the Rue de la Renaissance, in
that mean, obscure quarter of Paris formerly
called Little Poland, he passed his leisure in the
study Of poli,ics and philosophy, both physical
and mental,
Tne conspiracy Of 1884 recalled him from his
studloua pursuits lie thought the decisive mo-
ment was come, and, despite Of the advice Of
some friends, he resolved to return to Poland
He Travelled in disguise, and reached the from
tiers Of Galicia without detection, notwithstand-
ing the vigilance Of the Russian spies. He took
refuge in castle belonging to an old friend Of
his family, Count Wislinski, and determined to
await the signal for rising in arms.
But for his restless anxiety of mind, Ladislas
would have spent pleasant time in the dwell
ling Of his friend. 1t was one of those ancient
Polish manor-houses, where are preserved and
transmitted from father to son traditions of
patriotism and national glory. Religious duties
and the chase occupied the day, while the even
ings were passed in social intercourse around
the wide hearth, seasoned by pipe Of tobacco
and a glass Of hydromel Count Wislinski had
an only daughter, named Wanda Beneath this
young girls gentle and lovely exterior, glowed
the vigorous soul of patriot. She had often
heard Of the brave Colonel Pagorski, but
scarcely expected to find in him man of
twenty nine, possessing a handsome figure and
a highly cultivated mind. The young people
were mutually pleased with each other, and
under existing circumstances the tedious form
alities preliminary to Polish courtship under
the old regime were dispensed with. Ladislas
Pagorski promised to marry Wanda Wisiinski
after the approaching campaign: she gave him
a like pledge. They clasped each others hands,
and parted
The Colonel hastened to join the insurgent
| forces, which assembled at Warsaw. The result
Of the enterprise is we'll known; the insurrec-
! tion was prematurely discovered, and it totally
failed. A great part Of the Poles were ar
rested-the remainder fed. Ladislas was one
| Of the first to be taken, and cast into the Rus
| sian fortress Of Zamosz. There he was tried BY
martial law, and sentenced to be exiled in 81
beria. At one stroke he lost every thing, saw
that one blessed gleam of hope which nothing
can extinguish in the bosom Of a true Pole, ant
which makes him repeat with undying fervo
the burden of the national war-song:
| No, Poland, thou shalt never perish!n
Mademoiselle Wislinski learned all She lef
her home, went to Zamosz, succeeded in gainin
admittance to the citadel, and placed her han
in that Of Pagorski. ''You promised to MARI
me at the end of the campaign she said, s an
l am come to claim that promise
s' Can you think of it - cried Ladislas. ssD D
you know what an exile in Siberia-'
&c know it all. My resolution is mistaken
Her lovers soul was deeply moved by thi
sublime devotion. Paskievitch, Prince of War
saw, authorized the marriage. 1t was celebra
ted within the walls of dungeon: and Wand
then obtained permission to follow her husban
to Siberia.
The exiled party to which they belonged wa
sent TO the colony Of Yakoutsk, in the south
Siberia, This was a small, snow-g girt village O
the banks Of the Lena. During the whole ioul
ney, which occupied four months. Wanda uttere
not the slightest complaint. young brid
taking the honeymoon excursion with her hui
band, could not appear more happy in the pre-
: ent or more hopeful for the future.
They took possession OF cottage destined f
them; and Wanda applied herself to the di
+ charge of the humblest household duties,
o eheerfully as though she had never known al
a other occupation. Ladislas, on his part, h
; learned that most useful lesson, ssto make t
best of everything and sought by his indust
d to improve their condition The rules Of t
colony permitted him to engage in any traf
practicable in that rigorous climate.
Being skillful marksman, he followed II
chase with much success. These northern +
gions abound with animals whose fur is great
prized-such us the zibeline, the blue-fox, IL
white-hare, and the marten. Adroit and ind
/ fatigable, Pagorski was soon engaged in /,
crative traffic in furs. He was enabled to Dr.
cure for himself and his wife as comfortable a
, existence is tie climate and their cxiled cond
tion would admit, Generous to the poor, al
prudent in never uttering a word which DO
allusion to the past, he obtained not only Il
friendship OF his companions iii misfortune, b
also the respect of the Governor and officers
! the colony.
In his domestic life he used the same reserv
S even in conversing with Wanda, he never a
0 luded to politics. He seemed to have forgott
Poland, and indeed the whole world, save til
one barren spot to which the vengeance of Il
Car confined him. Wanda did not comprehe1
/ this silence but she respected it, elf he h
forgotten thought she, 'swherefore should
, recall to his mind the cruel memory of IL
past :"
8 Years passed on, and domestic trials yisite
the humble dwelling of Pagorski. OF thr,
children born to him, the rigor of the china
carried off two +; but both he and Wanda learnt
=, to submit TO their bereavement with true Chri
5 tan resignation. Yet secret grief preyed
the faithful wife. Sometimes she looked at ht
| husband until the tears flowed down her cheek
"Can.'' she thought, the spirit of patri
have died within him Has he quite forgotte
the country of his birth p Yet, seeing him
, active in business, so atfectionate towards hel
self and their remaining child and so exemplar
i'll all his conduct, she knew not what to thinl
In the year 1859, a new party OF eXlleS al
rived at Yakoutsk. Among them was an o.
i soldier who had served as sergeant in the il
surrectionary army of 1881. Ladislas reco
nized him, and received him as brother, b
asked him nothing about what was passing
/ Poland. Wanda anxiously expected some que
tion--at least word, a sign. Ladislas W
, silent, or spoke only of the affairs of the colon
, the adventures of the chase, and the price
furs. The soldier listened with downcast a
AT length, Selling the arm of his Colonel, he c
: claimed, ss Ladislas Pagorski, hast thou ceas
It to be a man ?''
"What mean you by that"
" You have not asked me q single questi
respecting the affairs of Poland.'
''Wherefore should we speak of count
o. which we shall never see again p
It. The veteran turned to doubt, but Wande d
y tanned him. Ladislas seemed quite unable
1c comprehend his susceptibility. The old maj
brow crimsoned with indignation, and reproac
IN ing Pagorski for his apathetic Indifference,
10 began to describe the panscfaUOnian ide
en- which, during the past year, had made gre
it. progress in Poland He spoke of the hundr
ed millions of men of Sclavonic extraction, Wh
u u scarcely known in Europe, are dispersed amos
in various nations, over an immense surface. Z
he land, he said, might become their delvere
nd and consolidate them into one powerful peopl
an ae Wanda listened with breathless interes
at while her husband apparently unmoved, play
ny with the handle Of his hunting knife The v
ye teran, wrought up to the highest pitch Of enth
Of ~, sasnl, at length took leave, exclaming CO
ii Poland thou shalt never perish p and clos
m an the door with gesture of contempt for his fo
Ho1,