Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31

During the long dreary Winter there had
been sorrow and mourning within the white
house which stood at the edge of the oak
forest. No sound of music or of mirth ever
issued from its closed easements, no gay
pennon fioated on the roof. Like virgin
coffin, it slept there through frost and snow,
with the sombre phantoms of the naked oak
trees keeping watch around.
But now the enchantress Spring had pass
ed over the land, breathing on each tree and
shrub, and warming them afresh to life and
beauty. With lavish hand she had emptied
her cornucopia over the floor of the forest,
replacing the dull bronze of last years dead
leaves by the enameled hues of violet and
primrose. Each black spectre tree has been
transformed into a marvel of loneliness, and
in the boughs overhead the wood pigeon and
the nightingale make the groves melodious
with their love songs.
And within the white house renewed joy
and hope has stolen in along with the beauty
of the flowers and the song of the birds.
When everything without is blooming and
beaming, despair and gloom can no longer
retain their sway over the heart.
The Winter had been long and dreary, and
Ilandzia had mourned and wept and pinned
In solitude; but now the end of her troubles
is at hand, for is not her husband to be re-
stored to her again? Many a sleepleSs night
had she passed in thinking of the dangers to
which he was exposed, not knowing each
moment whether she ought to be bewailing
him as dead. But now at last joyful day
had come to her, for she has heard that he
has alike escaped the cruel cimiter of the
Turk, the poisoned arrow of the Tartar, the
tainted breath of disease, and the sharp tooth
of the frost. He is alive and unscathed, and
will soon be given back to her faithful heart.
But she has also heard of the dire misfor-
tunes which have attended this campaign
how want and sickness have destroyed the
once gallant army, and how Of eight thou
sand brave men that marched forth to attack
the Turk, only three hundred have returned.
Like true patriot she mourns her country
losses, and like tender woman she grieves
for those many other women who, less fortu-
nate than she is, will not be able to welcome
back son, a husband, lover.
But all the while her own happiness is so
great that it fills her heart to overfowing,
and will not let sadness remain there. The
long and dreary Winter seems short now that
she is so near her reward. The sweetness of
their meeting will be all the greater from
having been so long deferred. How she will
caress and console him for all the troubles he
has gone through; her loving care shall make
him forget his hardships, and the sight OF
his child shall soften the bitter memory OF
those other sons he has lost
And IlandZia, with smile in her eyes and
song on her lips, goes about in and outside
the dwelling house, directing and disposing
each household detail, so as worthily to well
come the beloved guest she expects.
And everything shines and beams as II In
joyful anticipation; never before had the
young oak leaves seemed as wildly green,
nor the newborn lambs as daZZlingly white,
nor the promise of the orchard as rich. And
never either had Ilandzia herself appeared
as lovely and as fair, for joy is a mighty
beautifer, and sets off woman's fairness as
with golden crown.
Gayest and happiest is little Sawka, who
with the buoyancy of youth revels in the
beauty of the day, in the sunshine, and In
his mothers smile, which he had not seen
for so long. Light footed as the wild fawn,
he is forever in mOtiOn-nOw racing over the
meadows in headlong chase after the lambs
and kids, now riding astride on the large
shaggy wolf hounds, now climbing aloft to
play hide and seek among the twisted boughs
of the gnarled oak trees.
OF a sudden he comes running in breath
less over the greensward to Iandzia-
Mother, mother, see how my father is fly
ing toward us on his chestnut horsep
And together they hasten to meet the adj
vancina horseman. With the keensighted
glance of love, Ilandz has marked ere yet
he has left the saddle the heavy cloud on
her husbands brow, and the lines which
hardship and trouble have traced. 1t is In
vain that she pours forth expressions Of love
and joy into his ear, for he seemed not to
hear her; in vain does she hang on his arm
and lay her head on his shoulder, her eyes
can win back no responding smile in his. In
vain, too, does the little Sawka play with his
sword and seek to attract him by childish
caresses-his face relaxed not
LET US go in" he says, at last having
stood motionless near the entrance; and
llandzia starts at the sound of his voice, so
changed, so sad, so hollow.
The Attaman sits down and gazes long and
sadly round at the walls of the room where
he has lived and been happy, and where his
father and grandfather have lived before
him. On each chair, each picture, his eyes
hang mournfully In turn, but his gaze Is
longest and saddest when at last itrests on his
wife and child, and hot tear rises to his
eye.
Ilandzia, all her former Joy now chilled by
a nameless terror, does not venture to speak
for fear of disturbing his grief, and she dim
ly guesses that for the soul of an Attaman
there can be no greater sorrow than to have
seen his army perish. But she vows within
her heart that her love and her care shall yet
restore the light to his eyes and the smile to
his lips.
After prolonged silence Kunicki at last
bids his wife tell him all that has taken place
ct home during his absence; then he orders