South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-04
IHADDEUS OF UARSA W-ByJane Porter
CONDENSATION BY SARA WARE BASSETT

With the great war in which Po-
land has won her freedom still fresh
in our memory. we reread with re-
newed interest the old-ume classic
"Thaddeus OF Warsaw"
The story takes place - that
grim era OF history when the little
kingdom OF Poland was attacked by
Russia and Austria, and having
been defeated under the leadership
Of Kosciusko was forced 20 sign the
ANONYMOUS treaty OF partition that
gave her territory 10 the conquer
Ors and wiped her name from OF
the roll OF free nations. From that
date until this Poland. as an indie
pendent country, has not existed.
Jane Porter lived when the sha-
dow OF this cruel tragedy still dark
ened the world, and she penned her
romance Of "Thaddeus" only nine
years after Kosciusko had been tax
en- captive and while ne was the idol
OF the hour.
The noble house OF Sobiesd was
intensely patriotic and It's loyalty to
the ruling monarch. Stanislaus. led
not only the palatine but his grand
son. Thaddeus into the fray.
IL was the young mans FIRST
glimpse Of war and we see him and
his grandfathcr setting forth 10 bat
tie IL the highest of spirits. Before
the boy leaves home his mother. the
Countess Therese, presnts him
with a miniature OF his father whom
ne had previously supposed 10 be
dead, and a letter from which he
learns that his unknown parent was
an Engiishman named Sackville
81 no. while a guest at "NilIanow,"
the Sobieski estate, married Therese
and afterward deserted her Since
his mysterious disappearance moth
ing has ever been heard of him. I'm
the meantime Thaddeus had been
brought up under the name OF So
bieski and has given his word never
20 assume any other.
The discovery that NE IS OF Eng
Iish parentage is happy one for
our hero's best friend Pembroke
Somerset. is also an Englishman.
While travelling through Russia for
a holiday Pembroke. for the mere
adventure OF IT, has been persuaded
20 take up arms against Poland:
and would have persisted miserably
when wounded in battle had he not
fallen into the hands Of young So
bieslCi who from an impulse Of pity
saves his life and takes him back
Il.
is welcomed with all kindness, and
so winning is his personality that he
speedily becomes a second son in
the home.
When summoned 20 return TO
England he parts from his Polish
hosts with keenest regrets. and with
the eager plea that when the war
is over Thaddeus shall visit him in
London.
That Poland will he the winner in
the present struggle. and a victor
iOus peace soon be concluded when
the friends shall be reunited. neither
doubts. But no such fortunate re-
suit comes out of the war
Instead the Polish army Is set
upon at every point by superior
numbers. one stronghold after an
other falls. KosciusBo is taken
prisoner; and at length in order .to
prevent the slaughter of an entire
people the king surrenders and
agreis to sign treaty OF partition.
It Is a terrible day for Tbaddeus
SObiEski
Wounded, he tries in vain TO rally
his followers. II is useless. The
CoSsacks rush forward in pursuit OF
the vanquished army. swarming
after their prey. Thaddeus is com
pellet - retire and as, with MS few
retain -. he retreats toward evil