The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-08-04
THE POLISH OFFICER.


..#.
It was stained and time-worn manu-
script which my friend brought out from
his escritoire. We drew our chairs
closer to the fire, when he opened the
manuscript and read:
1t was in the ever memorable and val
liant attempt that Poland made to main
tam its independence against tyranny
which raised in the heart Of every hon.
est Pole an indignant feeling toward his
oppressors, and caused rebellion to ran
kle in his bosom and seek redress
1t is of that period l am now writing,
when man raising from his bed Of rest,
feels himself still laboring under bur-
den too grievous to be borne. Before
proceed farther, it will be necessary to
give brief outline of my boyish days.
When it was thought fit by kind and
indulgent parent that my mind could
bear the study Of boarding school,
was sent from home, at a distance of
ninety miles, where, from my first In:
PRODUCTION, | formed an acquaintanse
with fellow-boarder, and there soon
appeared that cohgeniality of feeling
and sentiment which promised to Insure
us mutual happiness and comfort-we
may well say "We lived and loved to-
gether." 1 never kept a secret from him
but once, and he was the same as true
and just to me. Time flies and discov-
ers secrets. l had now completed my
nineteenth year, and as reyolts were
daily occurring against Russian tyranny,
and my father suffering under it person.
ally, he procured me commission to
join the regiment Immediately, which
was then lying at Warsaw. 1 was
forced to 60 and leave my old compan-
ion, aud one with whom, when the daily
duties were ended, l spent many mo-
ments; she whom l cherished at my
heart with bosom full of doubts, and
hopes, and tears. / now revealed to her
my ardent love, and found L was only
echoing her own sentiments regarding
myself, for me, and me only, she said she
loved and lived.
On my return home to my companion.
l told him of the only secret had ever
retained; and having paid great atten-
tion to my relation, LIE burst into flood
of tears, was surprised at this strange
conduct, but soon found out the cause
from his incoherent expressions. ! was
agonized to see my companion suffering
under circumstances so painful-he, who
when was q youth, stranger, and far
from home, became to me brother and
friend. hastened to Annette, and told
her of this strange affair, when she, with
that prompt alacrity which is character
istic OF our Polish ladies, particularly in
such affairs, complied with my earnest
entreaties (and 10 prevent the addresses
of Nowistcny in my absence) consented,
with the permission OF her parents, to
become my Wife.
On my return home, found my com
panioh still In the same excited state as
Ihad left him. I gave him slight hint
of what had happened, which he seemed
perfectly to understand. He in few
minutes aroused himself from the stupor
and summoned up resolution to inquire
when l should leave. l told him on the
morrow. He said, 81 shall accompany
you to whatever place or in whatever
circumstances you may be-"
Oh, Annettel Farewell at last must
come. Adieul may heaven guard and
protect you! Farewel-F veil (!
Those who have really loved almost to
idolatry, can only picture the feelings at
our separation. We proceeded in ST.
lence, each buried in his.own respective
meditations. Nowistchy ON sudden
eXclaimed:
"Shoud Fate decree no return to your
Annette, l will be to her friend, a
brother, or husband;" to which cor
daily assented, alter which conyersa-
wonted cheeriulness. Ohl Annette; be-.
hold me duly exercised in warlike du-
ties, preparing for an engagement, per-
haps neVermOre to see you. The Rus
SLAMS are advancing. 1t was midnight,
and now and then the distant peal oil
cannon could be heard rolling through
the silence of the night; louder grew the
sounds, and louder, till at least the war
ike peal 'to arms" reused us from our
uspense. L recommended myself to God
with short and earnest prayer for my
wife.
Iwas now prepared to meet the enemy.
1 sought Nowistchy, and found him in
deep thought; quite unconscious. of what
was passing around Till / aroused him
from his slup0r. We embraced each
other, and again repeated the promise
respecting Annette. Now roars the
cannon, and louder yet-yea ''louder
than the bolts OF heayen''-all confusion,
man falls upon man. Oh, warl tgniS
fatalus, that drives dissolution to the
door of the rich, destruction and despair
to that of the poor. The combat thick
ems, and fighting for our independence,
with bravery douby armed by good
cause, this engagement Was declared in
our favor.
The conflict over, l sought my COM
pdnlOu, anu louuu HlH pdTbIy covered
with the bodies. OF the slain, but breath
ing; having carried him with all speed
to the hospital, the surgeon found he
had only swooned from loss Of blood,
and had received no mortal injury; and
with due attention and some restoratives
he soon recovered. Immediately after
the engagement / was ordered to dis
tant part of Poland, where the Russians
had been committing their horrible deeds
of war. Nowistchy, being ON the sick
list, was forced to remain; we were for
theiirst time parted from our youth, and
having embraced me and thanked me for
his preservation OF lite, he once more re-
peated the PROMISE Of Remembering An
nette."
had been now marching from place to
place, and could receive no news re-
specting her, nor yet OF Nowistchy. l
had seized every opportunity IRON the
hustle OF war, aud written several times,
but received no answer; at last one ray
OF hope beamed, and yet disappointment
was still greater, for by frequent marches
and removals from place to place, we
had to pass her native village. Isought
her home. Imagine inc, buoyed up with
all the hopes of once again seeing my
wife--my all. With sensations which
tongue can not express, found the
,h,h ON ipn