Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-05-24

2 da he never alluded to politics. He seem
q ed to have forgotten Poland, and, indeed
the whole world, save that one barrer
spot to which the vengeance of the Czal
confined him. Wanda did not compre
hend this silence, but she respected it,
elf he has forgotten" thought she
"wherefore should remind him of the
cruel memory of the past?" aa.s
Years past on, and domestic trials vi
sited the humble dwelling of Pagorski
OF three children born to him, the rigor
of the climate carried off two but both
he and Wanda learned to submit 10 their
bereavement with true Christian resigna-
ton. Yet secret grief Preyed on the
faithful wife. Sometimes she looked at
her husband until the tears flowed down
her cheeks. Can" thought she, " the
spirit of patriot have died within him
Has he quite forgotten the land of his
birth ?" Yet seeing him so active in bu-
siness, SO .affectionate toward herself and
remaining child, and so exemplary in all
his conduct, she knew not what to think
Of him.
In the year 1949, new party of exiles
arrived at Y akoutsd. Amongst them was
an old soldier, who had served as SER
geant in the insurrectionary army of
1881. Ladislas recognized him and re-
ceived him as brother, but asked him
nothing about what was passing in PO-
| land. Wanda anxiously expected some
| qunstion-at least word-a sign. La
dslas was silent. or spoke only OF the af-
fairs Of the colony, the adventures Of the
chase, and the price OF furs. The soldier
listened with downcast air. At length,
seizing the arm of his colonel ne exclaim-
ed,
Ladislas Pagorski. hast thou ceased
to be a man ?'
"What mean you by that ?''
You have not asked me a single
question respecting the affairs of Po-
! land"
Wherefore should we speak Of a
country which we never expect to see
again ?"
The veteran turned to depart. but
! Wanda detained him. La,lialas seemed
quite unable to comprehend his succepti
/ bIity. The old mans brow crimsOned
with Indignation. and reproaching Pagor
ski for his apathetic Indifference, he be-
gan to describe the panseLavoniGn idea,
which during the past year had made
great progress in Poland. He spoke Of
the hundred millions of men of Sclavonic
extraction, who scarcely known in Eu-
rope, are dispersed amongst various ma
tions over an immense surface. Poland,
he said might become their delivercr, and
consolidate them into one powerful peo-
pie.
Wanda listened with breathless inter
est while her husband. apparently unmo-
we'd, played with the handle of his hunt
ing knife. The veteran, wrought up to
the highest pitch Of enthusiasm, at length
took leave, exclaiming, "NO, Poland.
thou shalt never perish" and closed the
door with a gesture Of contempt for his
former colonel.
The eyes of Wanda turned towards
Ladislas lie was cutting thongs of
lealher on borrd placed between his
knees, and seemed quite absorbed in his
occupation. This was too much for the
patriotic soul Of Wanda. She clasped
her hands, and burs ing into tears ex-
claimed:
"My God what hast thou done with
the soul Of LadiSlas PagorSki ~
Suddenly she felt herself encircIed in a
close embrace, AM looking up She saw
her husbands s counIenance beamng with
that light of mingled love and vaior
which had daZzlrd her when she first be-
held him in her fathers castle.
"Foolish woman - murmured Lpdis-
las; "did'sL :hou then think that Pole
can resign hope !''
"Ah, God be praised - she cried,
"my husband is restored to me-"
II, cGn ,nl
her a deep double box or well in the bot
| tom Of the ki5Hka, in which he travelled
/ during his hunting excursions. All is
! prepared" said he. "Three months
! since l heard Of the Polish pan<clavonian
movement from the officers OF the garri-
son. Not lance shall stir in Poland
without mine being raised in its aid
This evening thou shalt know my plans !;
but one thing thou shalt never knOw-the
| intensity Of pain it has cost me to conceal
from thee my feelings during so many
years" -.
At midnight, the husband and wife lef:
the cottage, and took the road leading to
the cemetery. They would not abandon
to that inhospitablc soil the mortal re-
mains of their children. They walked
by the light of the stars reflected from
the snow, and were followed by their
faithful dog. which now and again howl
ed paintively when the keen wind Pene-
trated his shaggy fur.
They entered the lonely burial ground.
Wanda knelt and prayed by the side Of
the grave which LadiSlas uncovered. and
! the dog watched like sentinel. Sudden
lv a soft, rose colored light was shed
over the melancholy scene; then the whole
sky became purple and golden. rays dart
ed from it the aurora borealiS had ari-
sen. Ladislas raised in his arms the cof-
l.. L.. tninnI hi. cl,ildrnn's ra m aims