Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-02-01


vide and lend yourselves to Russia or Prussh.'
Gradually, before he was aware of it,the
baron was considered an adherent of koSiisko
and an enemy to the Russian party. He ned
died not, still he was watched. His namea APP
peared with many others, upon the prosap
tion list which was sent to Petersburgi 1t
brought him little honor. The Russiais ad-
vanced against the Poles with a superior iorce
and were victorious at Ukraine and Dubi,nka.
The Polish troops marched through ths bar
on's grounds, and he was obliged 10 join hem.
The Russians advanced still further, laidwaste
Lenau's estate. and burnt down his cattle
Suwarrow and Igelsrom, after the mass ere OF
the inhabitants of Praga, were not the men to
defend the possessions OF Russian eolonel
who had Joined the enemy. He lost ar, and
glad, like many Of the natives OF Poland,
to fee tor his life into Germany.
The baron could still talk of being happy,
when he reached Dresden. and recolleeted that
there was still an old mansion where he might
live with his faithful old steward. Tn, loss of
his possessions did not much disturb aim, for
he had been accustomed to have very few
wants. He still thought himself rich enough.
The old steward wept real tears of Joy when
he again his master so unexpectedly. Lei
nau had Informed him of his arrival ID a letter
from Dresden, but enjoined it upon him to
disclose his return to no one, he wished TO
remain ncog. long he conld .undisturbe by
curiosity. 1t was partly pride or shame that
prompted this wish. Although he despiscd
the verdict of the multitude, yet he would fan
avoid it in his own case. He knew the world!
a thing so named, that awards ruin to one and
glory to another.
But there was no occasion for any anxiety
on the colonel's part. 1t would have required
no ordinary exerIons TO discover him. The
stewards house was situated in the extreme
southern part of the kingdom, far from the
Il 4 ~,
scarcely pedar or preacher. At first, the
retirement pleased the baron. hut after a little
while it grew tedious. He had brought books
with him. which served to kill time for while,
but at last he came TO feel himself j prisoner
and exile, of all feelings the worst. None of
his old friend swere in the neighborhood- In
fact, there was no one, except an old clergy
man, who had once been his tutor, for whom
he partcul larly cared, and who now resided at
the other end of the dukedom. Leinau deter
mined TO seek him ont. Filling his pockets
with snch things as were necessary, he set out,
on fine summer day, in a plain hunters dress.
with his gun over his shoulder In two days
he expected to reach the home OF his old
friend. The first night he lodged at the inn
of an insignificant town, where he met, how
ever. with very significant adventure. When
about to sit down to supper, che had taken no
dinner for economy's sake,) the laudlady in
formed him. that If he were so disposed, he
Ill
who had arrived an hour before with her father
and maid. ssWithout doubt,'' said nine hos
tess, ssthey quality from the capitals The
old gentleman had gone to bed, soon after his
arrival. with the headache. and had contented
himself with Il cup OF tea.'
These particulars interested the baron very
little, but they suddenly increased in interest,
when, after the cloth was laid, the beautiful
lady entered. Beautiful she vas. That conld
not be denied at least the baron could not de-
ny it, for 10 him she seemed like some fairy,
messenger from heaven.
His respectful salutation was returned by
silent inclination and Il delicate blush. The
baron made it his agreeable Office to offer the
best of everything on the table to his lovely
companion, which gave opportunity .irst for
single syllables, then for single words, then
Tor questions and answers; and at last the
conversation flowed as freely as if b'tween
persons with perfectly clear consciences, al
Though now and then looks were exchanged as
if their consciences were not quite clear.
1t was no common appariton to the people
of the inn--this pair. Landlord and andlady,
boy and maid and even some of the inhabI-
tantS OF the little town, stood grouped in the
back ground. gaping at the guests. 'sThey
are betrothcd,' said one. ssThey are brother
and sister, said another. The women had
never seen so handsome a man as the baron,
and the men had never seen so beautiful "a
deal of trouble to get sight of such pair =
The lady spoke of the capital. The baron ask
ed questions not few. He cared less for the
capital than for the answers he received, so
musically artculate, pointed with good
sense. He would have asked questions all
night long, had not the lady risen to go and
inquire after her fathers head.
The baron drummed thoughtfully with his
fork upon the table, and would have sat dream
ing there all night long, had not the landlady
asked him il he would not like to his bed.
He to retire, and, as he passed by the
chair which he occupied, he saw her glove y
ing on the floor. He snached up the treasure
by means of which conversation might be
renewed in the morning.
He forgot how tired he had been, by his long
journey, ar he would not have wondered, the
next morning. to see the sun streaming in at
the window, while he still in bed. He
sprang up. His table companion, the glove,
and the expected morning greeting, were his
first thoughts. He almost in great
ecstacy as If heaven itself were in near pros
pect. He dressed himself with the greatest
care; every speck was brushed from his hunt
ing-dress with tae neatneSs OF a soldier, famii-
lar with garrison service. n Ow and then
sigh escaped him, as he thought of the glove,
of his uniform. and his Polish possessions.
His boots yet remained to put on. He heard
the sweet voice of the lady at the street door.
He had sometime before heard a travelling
coach drive up. What crowd of thoughts
thronged upon him! He threw open the win
dow. Alas there he saw the lovely creature
with one neat little foot just upon the steps OF
the carriage, while the fat landlord, with
bundle of sbawis under his arm, stood by to
help her. As she entered the vehicle. she
looked up towards the window. and her spark
ling ewes threw a modest greeting and farewell
to Leinau. and with this she disappeared. The
land lord shut tht. coach door. 1t sounded to
the poor baron like closing the grave where
the coffin of all his joys lay. The carriage roll