El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-09-11
Condensed Nooel Series One 4 Day

UTITH the great war in which Po-
w land has won her freedom still
fresh in our memory, we reread with
renewed interest the oldtime classic,
Thaddeus Of Warsaw"
The story takes place at that grim
era OF history when the little king
dom Of Poland was attacked by Rus
STA and Austria. and having been de-
feated under the leadership Of Kosci-
usko was forced to sign the ignomini-
ious treaty Of partition that gave her
territory 10 the conquerors and wiped
her name from of the roll Of free
nations. From that date until this
Poland. as an independent country,
has not existed
Jane Porter lived when the shadow
OF this cruel tragedy still darkened the
world. and she penned her romance of
--Thaddeus" only nine years after
kosciusko had been taken captive and
while ne was the idol OF the hour.
The noble house Of Sobieski was
intensely patriotic and its loyalty to
the ruling monarch, Stanislaus. led
not only the palatine but his grand
son. Thaddeus, into the fray.
II was the young mans first
glimpse OF war, and we see him and
his grandfather setting forth to battle
IA the highest Of spirits. Before the
countess Therese. presents him with
q miniature OF his father. whom he
had previously supposed to be dead.
and letter from which he learns that
his unknown parent was an English
man named SackVllle. who. while a
guest at ~NillanoW." the Sobieskf es-
tate. married Therese and afterWard
deserted her Since his mysterious
disappearance nothing has ever been
heard Of him IN the meantime Thad-
AZ D. nasT.a II
name Of Sobieski and has given his
word never 10 assume any other
The discovery that he is Of English
parentage is a happy one. for our
hero's best friend Pembroke Somer-
SET IS also an Englishman. While
travelling through Russia for a holt
DAY Pembroke, for the mere adven-
iure OF It. has been persuaded 10 take
Up arms against Poland. and would
have persisted mlserably when wound
ed IN battle had he not fallen into
me hands OF young Sobieski- who
from an impulse Of pity saves his life
ana takes him back 10 ''Fillanow"
Here the stranger Is welcomed with
All Kindness, and so winning is his
personality that he speedily becomes
a second son in the home
When summoned TO return TO Eng
lalgl he parts from his Polish hosts
Win keenesr regrets, and with the
eager plea that when the war is over5
That Poland VIII be the winner in
the present struggle, and a victorious
peace soon be concluded. when the
friends shall be reunited. neither
doubts. But no such fortunate result I
comes out Of the war
Instead, the Polish army IS set upon
a. every point by superior numbers.
One stronghold after another falls. /
Aosciusko is taken prisoner. and at 1
length, in order 10 prevent the slauCh- /
ter OF an entire people. the king sur /
renders and agrees TO sign a treaty.
q partition.
T IS a terrible day for Thaddeus
sobieski.
Wounded. he tries vainlv TO rallv
bis followers It IS useless The
-ossacls rush forward in pursuit OF {
ne FanQuisned army. sWarming after /
-netr prey Ihaddeus IS compelled to /
etlre ana as with his few retainers.
he retreats toward ''Vollanow" he I
comes upon the dead body Of his
grandfather, who has been killed in
ne combat There IS. however. scanr /
inc 20 mourn this overwheInafng loss
1urriediyr young Sobieskf presses on
20 his castle. where the women OF his
household are defe1celess. Ha-e he
mos ms mother wasted by illness and
ven while he fingers to protect her
ne ules in his arms Further delav IS
ert1in death II he is 20 escape with
rs lie he must flee. As he mounts
Is morse. and gallops away the foe
tel ms the reQoubts, and puts the
iullclnes 70 flame. No alternative
loT remains for him hut 10 saw fare
vel 70 his native land and. an exile.
9Sten his flight 10 England. All MS
lIoperty is gone The riches the