Year: 1859

nAfter the battle of Magenta" says an Aus
trian Lieutenant in tie Manner Volks Clatt,
uwhen the Austrians we're compelled TO evacu-
ate Milan. IL happened that a small troop OF
| (yroats were entirely separated from their COM
rades in the heart of the city, and thus were
| left behind to effect their own retreat. Their
situation, ii may be supposed, was not a very
pleasant one. For, finding themselves In the
midst Of hostile nation, without an interpreter
or guide to direct them through the labyrinth
of streets and thoroughfares with which the
great capital of the Lombards abounds, they
must infallibly have fallen victims to the popu-
lar fury had not Divine Providence so disposed
that, in their erratic course, they should meet
Young physician of the Austrian staff, who had
both the tact and the courage TO become their
leader. No sooner had they told him Of their
embarrassment than he Immediately offered to
put himself at their head and lead them out OF
the city Accordingly, under this new captain,
they fearlessly began their retrograde march.
But the Mianese having become aware, in the
meantime, that these unlucky birds Of Croatia
had lost their way and we're now fairly Gagged,
instantly souded the alarm, and began to give
chase. THE Croatsp Death to the Croatsv y
such was the fearful cry of the populace, as
| they ran together from all directions TO inter-
cept the fight of the brave little band, and to
avenge in their blood their couDtry's wrongs.
From the streets, from the windows, from the
roofs and balconies of the adjoining houses,
missiles of every description, from the brick-bat
| to the rife-ball came pouring down upon them
30 that, at length, they were obliged to halt and
| face the enemy, If they wished to die like brave
soldiers, with wounds upon their breasts, and
not upon their backs only. Neither were they
willing to let themselves be quietly shot down
like flock of timid deer or ohamois no, they
we're determined to sell their lives as dearly as
possible, If they could not succeed in cutting
their way through the midst Of the enemy. AT
the command of their leader, they leveled their
muskets, they put the finger to the trigger,
they took the deadly aim, and they were now
ready to explode when 10 the folding doors
of a neighboring female school were thrown
open and out came swarm of little girls who,
unacquanted with the nature Of the turmoil and
unconscious of the danger that surrounded
TEN, skipped mrthfully into the open area be-
tween the Croats and the Mianese, to enjoy
their recreation hour after school. At this mo-
ment thought crossed the mind OF the COM
manding doctor, which saved both the lives OF
his soldiers and that of many Mlanese For,
instead of giving the word to fire, he ordered
them to throw down their muskets and to seize
every one young girl from among the crowd
that were fitting about in front Of them, and


to put her upon his arm for his own protection


"The order was executed in an instant, and
on that memorable day of the Austrian retreat
from Milan, astonished Italy saw o oounterpiece


TO that famous rape Of the Sabine maideDs


which eventually proved so beneficial both to
the ravishers and to the parents Of the ravished


For, like the unwedded youths Of Rome under


Romulus, so the harrassed warriors of Croatia


under their Austrian Ksculap, were seen eact


with little pretty Mlanese belle In his arms
hurrying down the street In precipitate fight


and leaving the terror stricken spectators time
to recover from their amazement at this bold


and unexpected coup de main. They soon, how


ever, comprehended the meaning of the strata
gem, and laughing most heartily, they followed
the flying kidnappers to the gates of the city


without ever daring to send after them single


ball or any other missile. Arriving there, The
Croats put down the gentle burden of theiI


guardian angels, who had SO e0ectually pro


tected them in their greatest danger, aud kiss


ing them with emotions Of gratitude, they beck


oned to them to return to their homes, willis


they themselves fastened away along the plain


amid the shouts and huzzas Of the exulting Mi


lanese."