Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-11-18
sophie Potoki.

SOpnle totOckle was OOrn In HeTa. deT
parents were of Greek extraction, and
closely allied TO the distinguished families
of Ghika and MauroRordatos. But they
were then impoverished and Sophie was
earning a livelihood In coffee house. Here
she attracted the attention Of Boskamp,
the Polish ambassador. Some writers say
that Boskamp had received private orders
from Stanislaus Augustus to bring home
with him beautiful Greek GIRL others
assert that it was his own conception
to take her to Stanislaus, knowing well
how acceptable such gift would be. How
ever that may be, he purchased the young
Greek girl of her parents for 1900 pias-
Iers-equivalent to $75-and started with
her for Poland. For some reason he was
obliged TO leave Sophie in Chozim, from
tier town, while he hurried to Warsaw.
Her picture, however, he carried with
him. Young men quickly learn of the ar
rival in their neighborhood of a pretty
girl. De Witt, son of the commander of
KamIenec, was among the first 10 visit the
young beauty. Their acquaintance ripen-
ened into love, and led to secret mar
riage. The father Of De Witt, learning of the
mar iage, fastened after his son. arrested him
and put him in irons, swearing he would
not release him until he had promised to
give up Sophie. Hereupon the young wife
threw herself at the feet of the angry father.
who, won by her looks and tears, finally
relented. Sophie now sought to fit herself
for her new position in life. She became
good linguist, and accomplished in many
ways.
In Paris, which city she often visited
with her husband, she was greatly admired
counting among her conquests the subse-
quent King Louis XVIII. At last her
husband became jealous and treated her with
such harshness and severity that she fled
to Constantinople. After a time, however,
a reconciliation was brought about, and she
consented to return to Poland. There she
passed five or six uneventful years. In
1888 she went with her husband to
Warsaw. Years had only added to her
charms. In Warsaw every one was intoxi-
Gated with her beauty. Whenever she ap-
peared in society the guests mounted chairs
and tables to gaze upon her. She was
called the Goodies of Beauty" and the
'tGrecian Venus" The intimacy between
her and Count Potoch dates from this visit
Felix PotocA was born in 1863; at Krys-
tynopol, one of the many estates of his
father. He grew up under the supervision
of his mother and the instruction of the
pianist. Wolf. In ITO the Turks, then
waging war in Europe, threatened to de-
stroy Krystynopol. Felix, a lad of II
years, under the plea of a necessity for
bodily exercise, obtained permission of his
father to oversee the frontier guard. His
youthful fancy had been caught by the
pretty face and graceful figure of the
daughter of neighboring CASTELAR,. The
war, however, had interrupted their inter-
course. HIS new military duty would
allow the young man frequent opportuni-
ties of meeting this girl, and of arranging
a secret marriage without the knowledge
OF either parents. The CASTELAR, belonged
to the middle order of nobility; conse-
quently, a marriage between the two faml-
lies could not but be regarded by the
Potokis as most derogatory to their
pride and position. Count Potocki
had also other views for his son. A dis
tinguished lady, Castellanin Mnizech, had
proposed betrothal between her daughter,
Josephine, and the young count. When,
a few months later, Count Potocki learned
of the marriage of his son his Indignation
knew no bounds. Threats of violence To
himself and his young wife led Felix, in q
moment of weakness, to consent to a sep
aration. He hoped thereby, to ward of a
geater danger to his wife. His submis-
lion was, however, of no avail. Counr
Potoki ordered the Cossacks to make a
night assault on the house of the
CASTELAR, and carry off the daughter.
The young wife was torn from her bed al
midnight, hurried into sledge and driven
towards KrystynoIOl. A long train Of
heavily-laden carts barred the way anC
compelled halt. The Cossacks, fearing
their prisoners call for help would betray
them, sought to suppress her cries by
sitting them with wraps and cushions
When, finally, the road was clear and they
had removed the wrappings which they
had wound about her head, the young wifi
was found to be dead. TO remove al
traces of their guilt the Cossacks cut hol
in the ice of a near stream, into which the
thrust the body of their victim.
The blow fell heavily on Felix. In tn
first moment of despair he sought to tax
his own life. Frustrated in this, he sanl
Il Il