SOLDIERS THREE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume XXXI, Issue 215, 11 January 1918, Page 1 (Supplement)

SOLDIERS THREE.

HOW A POLISH MOTHER’S LIFE WAS SAVED. At the time of the uprising in Poland, (before the division of the elective kingdom in 1772, Frederick the Great decided to have the territory invested! for the protection of his own border, but he especially warned the commanders to guard only against possible injuries to Prussian .territory -and to avoid interfering in Polish affairs. A little story is told concerning; an infraction of the order that incidentally shows the human side of the famous military leader. ran”’ nae eHhJI-fin flttussi—- — t,nvJ A young Pole in the Prussian service was stationed with his regiment not far from his birthplace, where his mother yet lived., lit was Quite natural in the circumstances that he should be in frequent communication with her. That, however, brought upon the old> woman the anger and hatred of her neighbours; for her actions seemed to them nothing less than those of a spy and a traitor. As time went on they Sine more and more incensed nst her, until final!v they took her re a tribunal, tried her, and sentenced her to be hanged. When the son heard of that, he hurried to his colonel and begged for permission to go to his mother’s house to try to rescue her from such a terribly and utterly undeserved death. “My son,” replied (the colonel, “I can’t let you do that. You would endanger your own life, and you can’t save your mother in that way. But don’t worry. I will think it over. Go away now and take care not to db anything without my consent.” The soldier went away obediently, and ithe officer immediately started inquiries, with the result that he learned the exact hour whjen the execution was to take place. Shortly before the appointed time he ordered a division of hussars to mount, placed himself at their head, and rode at a breakneck gallop to the scene of ‘.the intended execution. They dashed into the/ square as the drop was about to fall, separated the crowd, liberated the old woman and carried her away over the border in safety. . A great hue and cry arose in Poland;, and complaint Is came to Frederick demanding satisfaction. After the king had learned the truth of the matter he issued an order in council jagainst the colonel, censuring him severely for disobeying his instructions, but concluded the order wiith: these words: “For this action you have incurred severe condemnation and merit a rigorous punishment. You are to he confined (to your room from midnight neixt Sunday until six o’clock Monday morning.” To the angrv Poles he sent' word that the colonel had received suitable punishment for his intrusion and highhanded conduct.