Jasper Banner, Volume 2, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1855 — THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA. [ARTICLE]

THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA.

From Blackwood’s Magazine.

In the little town of Marienburg lived a Lutheran Minister, Skovronwho Tras remarkable for hia ptt;'ty, benevolence-, and unwearied efforts in doing good. On returning to his humble dwelling one evening, his attention was attracted by the cries of a child. Ilis horse showed an unwillingness to proceed; he dismounted, and at a short distance on the snow he discovered the object of distress. There lay a half frozen child—wrapping it in his cloak, he mounted his horse, and in a short time he was at the parsonage. The child was a beautiful little, girl not a year old. It was at once adopted by the pastor, and placed in the care of a faithful servant, an old lady, who had long resided in the family. She was named Cathrine, from the circumstance that she was found on St. Catherine’s day, the twenty-fifth of November. JShejyas nursed with great tenderness and care and treated by the family as an only child, tier beauty, docility and ■riveet "temper,"at trnxted~ttrc“'atteTr-" tion of all who saw her. A , more lovely creature can hardly be imagined. As she grew* up, she interested herself in the management of the household affairs, and was always ready to assist as bccasion required. The venerable Skovoronski was growing old under his excessive labors for. the goad of his flock, and his naturally robust constitution was giving way. This deeply affected Catherine, for she loved the good old man as her best earthly friend. She respected him as a parent, but ebv; could never forget that it was he \v’,o •aved her life. When he became ill the would do all for him M her power, and often cb.Ciei; ’ms lonely hours by singing so;>; 0 beautiful hymns.— She would often say, "My dear father what o ;ui Ido for you? Can I not vrmdefydu'some assistance? Can 1 do too much for one who has saved mylife? ’ - On the twentieth of August, 1702, Marienburg was taken by the Russians, and many of its inhabitants alum It was a sad day. Many heartrending scenes were witnessed.— Cathariuc at this time was thirteen years of age, and at the time of the battle was visiting a sister of Skovronski, a few miles distant. She heard the cannon, but did not understand the cause. This part of our story must be described by another. Though a alight thread of -fiction may be seen in the description, it will give a self-like air to the facts presented. A horse suddenly stopped attire door of the cottage, and a young man hastily dismounted. "The Russian# are at Marienburg!” exclaimed he rushing into the apartment. “1 have escaped with difficulty to bring this letter from your brother,(addressing the pastor’s sister,) who has given me his horse for my use. “Do tell me what has occurred at Marienburg,” said Catharine. “Why, do you not hear the cannon? General Suheremetief, with the army, is bombarding Marienburg. oh> it is a cruel sight to behold!” “My father, my benefactor,” cried Catharine, sobbing. Such was her anxiety to see her best earthly, friend that sbp immediately started for Marienburg; but on reaching the town she was met by one of the guard with “ Where fife you going?” j “What is that to you?” replied the young girl. “I am .iu haste, and I pray you pass.” “You of course arc not aware, then, that the town is in the hands of the Russinhft?” said the manr. >• “Well, what then?”- j.interrupted Catherine. • m cf tn?! r -“That all the inhabitants are prisoners, arid if you pursue your route, you will be taken prisoner yourself. ’ “Thank you Ibr your advicej tiut my father and benefactor is* in town, and! am determined:t© share his fate) whatever it may be.” n 2pai !:•. mJJt t ”Go/tben, ahd God' preserve youl‘* answered the man. She had not proceeded fir before ah officer demanded her hame. 4JI “I am the adopted Ohlld of the pastor Skovronski.” tj ,' h t>

* f “Tliou art a Livquian ” replied, the j officer. “Livonia belongs to our Czar, Peter I, of Russia; you are, therefore, a prisoner.” “Touch me not,” said Catharine, her beautiful eyes flashing. “I returned to Marienburg to find my adapted father. Conduct me, then, to him—in his house—in a dungeon —po matter where—so that I may find him.” Am ed to comply with her request, she inquired, “Who is your General?” “Gen. Schcremetief,” was the reply. ttl wish, then, to speak to the General.” In a few moments as the Cossack officer was inquiring Where the General could bo found, an old woman -perceiving her, uttered a cry of despair, “Oh, my child, you will see your protector no more! He is dead —my poor master!” This old lady was the servant of Skrovonski. Catharine turned pale at this sad intelligence, and inquired, “Have you, then, left him there without help?” The officer bade her follow him. and soon introduced her into the General’s tent. She threw herself at Scheremetief’a feet, and with uplifthands she exclaimed, "A grace, General! for pity’s sake a grace!” quired the General of the officer. "She wishes to speak to you.” “It is true,” replied Catherine. — “I ha\c learned that my father and pastor Skovronski! The favor I ask is, to be allowed to seek for his body that it may be properly buried.” The tone of her voice was so peculiar, and hev-countenaaee so commanding, yet so ingenuous, that the General was moved by her youth and courage, and said, “The camp is situated outside the walls; if I your request, what guarantee shall 1 have that you will not try to escape?” “My word,” answered Catharine innocently. “Go. then said the General; but remember your promise to return for oil belong to me. On leaving the tent, she met the pastor’s old servant. “Come,” said she taking her hand, show me the place where you saw him fall.” The night was dark and it was with difficulty they could see their way. They soon came upon a field covered with the bodies of the shtift, while" the cries that arose told that many were still alive. It was, indeed, a scene of horror. It was dark and. how could she distinguish her benefactor? Soon a soldier appeared with a lantern, which he kindly offered her, bat advising her to discontinue her search until morning. • This at once she declined. “Bat,” said the brave soldier, “you are mit formed to be a slave, though may You are now beyond the camp; no person can see you. Fly. Ts you want money here it is.” “Fly 1 when I have given my word not to do so?” “The word of a girl without a name, without birth is of little consequence. I conjure you to fly.” Catherine remained uhmoved, and resolved to fulfiildier promise. The search for the pastor was continued, and in a few moments he was found nearly senselesfc, and quite 1 speechless. After several attempts, he faintly whispered, “Where am 1?” “With your friends ” replied Catharine “with your little Catharine,” A little cordial being ndministeredyhe revived,-and was soon carried home on a litter. His wounds were dressed, and all possible assistance rendered* to the wounded pastor.— Catharine was oveijoyed to see her dearest friend so comfortable. The old man had learned that his dear child was a prisoner, and this grieved him much-. “It is all right, said Catharine. “If I had not been tdken prisoner, 1 should not haytffwseti Carried hefore the’ General, and would have missed seeing your servant, who told me q£ your death; and, had I not seen her, \ should never have thought of seekift£you on the battle-field. Now,” continued Catharine, dear benefactor, bless me, your poor child, for I must leave you!” “&> ’ thy child, -go, M said the old man, in a solemn vefifee, “do yOU* duty and GedViH bless yea?** -kissed the old man and exclaimed, “Adieu f my father, adieu!” tiia l*ft the hWee. '

As she entered the tent of; the General, she met the young soldier who presented her with the lantern on the battle-field, and who now kindlv presented her to the General. “What, have you returned?” said the General on seeing her. “I feared that I should not see you again.” “I gave iny word,” was her brief reply. v . “What shall I do with her?” inquirjdbtbc. General, to the soldier. “Make her my wife —the wife of a soldier! She is born for it! Well, what say you, my child?” added he, turning to Catharine, who seemed tpiite bewildered. “1 say,” replied she, hesitating, “my choice is not difficult; I would rather be the wife of a soldier than the slave of a General.” “The soldier arose and beckoning to Catharine to follow him, he left the tent. "Do you know who L am,. Catharine?” said he, as they* walk ad together away. .. _ _ “No, but you said you wisheJTto be my husband.” ‘ True, but do you know my rank in the army?” “It matters not,” said Catharine; “you cannot sappose 1 am proud—a child without family, without name.” “You are content, then, to link your destiny with mine?” taking her " Yes,” replied Catharine, “I like you because you have been kind to me, poor child that I am.” The soldier stopped before ft tent paajfeftteil fititijl jlhit fflfy ; ¥TL *“ is the tent of the Czar,” said he, remain where you are. It is right that I should ask his permission to marry you,” —Catharine -baA waited but a few moments when a young officer advanced, and said, “The Czar wishes to see you.” On entering the tent, she saw a large number of officers, in the centre of whom she immediately recognized the young soldier, hercompanTon. “Where is the Czar?” inquired Catharine of the officer. "There!” said he, pointing to the soldier who was seated. “There? That is my my Husband! “Hn is thy husband and the Czar, ! likewise, Catharine,” said the Emperor ot Russia. “How astonished you appear! Does the news grieve you? Does my title prevent you from loving me?” “i loved you as a soldier, said she, "I will always love you as an Emperor.” The Czar arose, and taking the hand of the young orphan, presented her to his officers as the future Empress of Russia. Here closes the thread of fiction in our story. After their marriage, the Emperor placed her in a private dwelling in the eity of Moscow where she received every attention becoming her position. She loved to do good, and to make ' others" happy around her. She was intelligent, cheerful, amiable and benevolent. No doubt Peter the Great saw that she was precisely the woman who 'couldshare his enthusiasm and sym--1 pathize in his plans. The obscurity •of her birth was no obstacle to him; he had absolute authority to raise her to the loftiest c ondition in his empire. Though surrounded with the honors of royalty, she did not forget the pastor of Marienburg. She loved him still, and did what she could to cheer his last hours. He never recovered from his wounds, and survived but a short time. His end was peace. Catharine mourned over his departure, and sighed that one she had loved most of ail on earth was now no more.

She often accompanied the Emperor on his journeys through his empire and frequently attended him in military campaigns. In 1711, when Peter was at war with the Turk?, by her extraordinary *kill and superior judgement, she saved the life of the Emperor, and saved the army from being destroyed or taken prisoners. Peter caused the event to be commemorated by a display of magnificence unusual for him; and.in the "declaration he issued, we find these words: ‘‘She has been of great assistance to us in all our dangers, and particularly in the battle of Pruth.” She was blessed with twd children, one of which—a son—died when a child. Theothet—a daughter—became Empress of Rcnsia. ■ J On the fßth of May, 1723, P&er the Great placed the crown, with great pomp, otf the head of Catharine. l His health wm now rapidly

declining. Catharine attended him constantly. January ‘2Sth, 1825, he breathed his last, being only in his forty-fourth year. Catharine sustained the title of Empress with great dignity, and was greatly beloved by all her subjects. Her reign was short. She survived hor husband about two years, and expired May 28th, 1727, at the age of thirty-eight. == jSn7jspi> i&meKt : Act. —-This act, in the shape in which it finally passed grants to all those who have received no Lands before, one quarter section (100 acres.) To those who have received Lands Already, it grants only such a quantity as will make 100 acres in the whole. The persons entitled to these benefits arc as follows:—Surviving Officers,. Musicians, Privates, Teamsters, Chaplains, or Indian?, cither of Regulars, or Militia, who have been regularly music rodtaia"the service of the United States; Officers. Seamen Marines, Clerks, or Landsmen regularly employed in the Navy since 1700, and survivors of State Troops, mustered into the U. S. service, in any of the wars in which the United States have been engaged. Also Volunteers at the battle of King’s Mountain, in the Revolution, and the battle of Nickojack, with the Southern Indians, and Tolunteerg and Hotiliainen at the attact on Lewistown in Dcleware.

In case such persons are not surviving, their Widows. In case neither the person nor his Widow survive, at the time of the passage of the Act.) A subsequent marriage deprives the Widow of her claim, unless she be a widow at the time .of making her application. Deserters, and persons ilsihonerably discharged are, of course, excepted from the benefits of the Act. The Land warrants will be granted, upon such proof being made, and located on such terms as in other cases, under existing laws. —Chicago Journal. A Certain Cure for Scrofula.— Nicholas Longworth, the famous millionaire and wine-groiver of Cincinnati!, publishes the following cure for Scrofula: ,Put 2 oz of acquafortis on a plate, on which you have two copper cents. Let it yemam from 18 to 25 hours. — Than add 4 oz. of clear vinegar. Put the cents and all in a large mouthed bottle, and keep it corked. Begin by putting 4 drops in a teaspoon full of rain water, and apply it to the sore. Make the application three times a day, with a soft hair pencil. As the sore heals apply it weaker, by adding water. Retribution . —Near AmberstbuTg. Canada, a few days ago, a man was eloping with a young woman, when their sleigh overturned. The girl’s neck was broken, causing her instant death; the man suffered a fracture of the leg, and was taken to a hotel at Amherstburg, where his wife is now kindly attending him in fulfillment of her marriage vow.

Thoy, N. \ r . March G. Griswold, the Know Nothing and Democratic candidate 18 elected by 200 majority. Detroit, March 6.—Mr. Casa arrived here to-day, and was received with a salute of thirty-two guna. Milwaukie, March 7. —-At the municipal election to-day, the whole Democratic ticket was elected; J. B. Cross was elected Mayor by 1400 majority. OCrAt the recent municipal election in Detroit the Democratic ticket was elected by a majority of 800. J Chicago, March 7. —The municipal election passed off quiet yesterday Q. V Doone, the Know Nothing candidate for Mayor has been elected by 842 majority. The Know Nothing candidates for dilfy officers were elected with few exceptions. OCT 3 When Sidney Webster, the President’s Secretary had delivered the President’s Message vetoing the Collins Mr. Benton grasped him by the hand, and delivered the following sentiment: “Sir, tell the President ! thank-him fortikis act. He deserves the thanks of the country. If I was President, I’ll be d— d Co h- —A if f would hot keep blank vetoes by me to defeat the bills of this Congress.” XSrThe game of fashionable is to hearts against diamonds.