The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-08-25
Grlrttc0.
A RUSSIAN STORY.

1t was stormy evening in the month
of November, that Russian nobleman
called Baron Jarosalao, his wife, and
their little daughter, Helena, and their
faithful servant, Erick, in a heavy trav-
cling chariot and four, driven by two
positions, drew up at the only inn of the
little town. of Kobrin, which lies on the
borders of Russia and Poland. They
were returning from their travels in
Europe, and as the Baron had already
overstayed the time he had intended to
be absent from home, and the weather
every day growing worse and worse, he
was anxious to press forward with all
the speed possible. The fur caps of the
positions, the long names and tails of
their hores, and even the rough leathern
portmanteaus, were white with frost !;
coulds of steam rose from the weary
beasts as they were embarrassed, and
the landlord coming up to the door of
the chariot observed, that his honor
would not think of proceeding further.
" Not if | were at liberty to follow
my own inclinations,o said the baron !;
" but as it is am pressed for time, and
we must get over another stage to-
night"
"It is long one, sir" said the land
rlord " thirty Wrists at least, and you
have the forests of Roster to pass. There
the road is bad, and | dare say the snow
is deep, and the wolves are getting
hungry"
"Oh, [ am not afraid of wolves"
cried the baron they would not dare
to attack carriage so early in the year
as this. Let us have four good horses,
landlord, and we may be in by nine, for
it is not more than half-past six"
"Well, sir, wlful man must have
his own way. only hope you may not
repent your determination Horses on
directly, Nicholas. But may. be your
honor and your honor's lady will take
something hot, for you will need it be-
fore you 90 to Bolisvo."
So cup of spiced wine was brought
for the travellers, and Erick had a. double
portion. He sat wrapped up in a huge
fur cloak, on low kind of box on front
for the baron's carriage, though old
fashioned, had been built in England.
In few moments the fresh horses were
harnessed, the positions cracked their
whips, and amidst the thanks and good
night of the landlord, the carriage rolled
on.
ct is bitter cold," said the baroness,
as she pulled the cloak more completely
around her, and took the little Helen on
her lap" it is bitter cold, and a fearful
night to travel in"
:" If the moon can but break through |
the clouds, as she is trying to do, we
shall have pleasant ride yet" replied
her husband. What, Catharine, a
Russian, and afraid of little snow 7"
"Well, l am glad that we came on,
too," said the wife "it is pleasant to
think that every mile we travel brings
us nearer to home, and my dear little
Nicholas and Frederica."
They were now passing over a wild
moor, the wind whistled mournfully
round the carriage, driving and chasing
the snow before it, for it was showing
heavily. The glare of the lamps cast
kind Of ghastly haze on the immediate
of the carriage, and SEEM
ed to make the dark distance still
darker.
go mammal" cried Helena, "let
me come closer to you, it makes me
afraid to look out of the window"
"Why, what you should be afraid of,
my love!'
"One is always afraid in the dark,
you know, mamma and then just listen
to the wind-how it howls :"
I" My dear child, there is one to whom
the darkness is no darkness, and who
maketh the wind his minister. We arc
as safe in his protection here as if we
were in our own dear home, with a warm
roof over our head and bright fire