Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-02-16
Select Gale.
TIE sNOW-STORM.
TALE FROM THE RUSSIAN OF porsEKIN

TALE FROM THE RUSSIAN OF POvsEKISE.
About the year 1871, period so memora-
ble in the history Of Russia, there lived on
his domain Of Nenaradof a rich proprietor
named Gubriloyitch He was noted for his
kind disposition and hospitab!e habits. His
house WAS at all times open to his friends aud
neighbors. who resorted there in the evenings
the elder ones in order to enjoy quiet
game Of cards with their host and his wife
Pctrowna the younger, in the hope Of gain
ing the good graces Of Mari, a fair girl Of
seventeen, the only child and heiress Of Ca
brioyitch.
Mari used to read French romances, and,
as the natural and necessary consequence, was
deeply in love. The object Of her affection
was an almost penniless young ensign belong
ing TO the neighborhood. and then at home
ON leave, who returned her love with equal
ardor. 1t is scarcely necessary to add that
the young ladys parents had strictly forbid
den her to think Of such an alliance and
whenever they met the lover they received
him with about that amount of frieudlnpss
which they would bestOw on an eX-coIlectOr Of
taxes. Our young lovers, however, managed
to keep up correspondence, and used to
meet in secret beneath the shadow Of the
pi1e-grove or the old chapel. On these oc-
, casions, they, of course, vowed eternal con-
stancy, accused fate Of unjust rigor and form
ed various projects. At length they naturally
came to the conclusion that, as the will of
cruel parents opposed their marriage, they
mi ht very we'll accomplish it in secret 1t
was the young gentleman who first propoun-
ded this proposition, and it was most iavora-
bly, received by the young lady.
I The approach Of winter put a stop to their
interviews, but their correspondence went on
with increased frequency aud fervor. In
each of his letters Vladimir Nicolevitch con-
jured his beloved to leave her home aud con-
sent 10 a private marriage. I'VE will disap-
! pear he said, "lor short time; then, one
/ day. we vii. 20 aud throw ourselves at your
( parents feet. Who touched by our heroic
! constuncy. will exclaim Children come to
our arme =" For e long time Mari hesitated.
| At length 1t was agreed that on certain day
she should not appear at supper, but retire
early to her room on the preteXt Of violent
headache. Her waiting maid was in the Sc
cret, and they were both to slip ont through
back door, near which she would find sledges
waiting TO convey them to the chapel Of Jad-
rino, about five versts distant, where Vladimir
and the priest would await them.
Having made her preparations, and written
long letter Of excuse TO her parents, Mari
retired at an early hour to her room. During
the day, she had complained of headache.
which certainly was more than pretext, for
nervous excitement had made her really ILL.,
Her father and mother watched her tenderly
and constantly asked her allow do you feel
now, Mari; are you still suffering 2" Their
fond solicitude went TO the young girls heart
and with the approach Of evening her agita-
tion increased At dinner she ate nothing
and soon afterwards rose to take leave of her
parents. They embraced her. aud, according
to their usual custom, gave her their blessing
Mari could scarcely refrain from sobbing-
When she reached her chamber she threw
herself into sn arm chair, and wept aloud
| Her waiting maid tried TO console and cheer
her, and at length succeeded.
There was sn0w-storm that night; the
| wind ho@led outside the house and shook the
! windows. The young girl, however as soon