Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-02-16

by her maid carrying a valise, gained the on
ter door, They found sledge drawn b,
three horses awaiting them and having got
INTO it, they started off at rapid pace. We
will leave them to pursue their Journey, while
we return to Vladimir.
a II that he had been actively employed
In the morning he had visited the priest o
Jadrino in order to arrange with him about
performing the ceremony; and then he set of
to procure the necessary witnesses. The first
| acquaintance TO whom he addressed himself
was hali-pay officer, who willingly consented
to what he wished. "Such all adventure" he
said, reminded him pleasantly of the days OF
his south" lie prevailed on Vladimir to re-
main with him, promising to procure for him
the other two witnesses. Accordingly, there
appeared at dinner the geometrician Schmidt
with his moustachcs aud spurs and the son
Of Captain lspravnik u lad Of seventeen, who
had just entered tie Uhlan corps. Both
promised Vladimir TO stand by him to the
last and the happy lover. having cordially
embraced his three friends, returned TO his
dwelling in order to complete his prepara-
| tions Having despatched servant on whom
he could rely with the sledge for Mari, he
himself got into a one-horse sledgc and start
ed for Jadrino. Scarcely had he set ont,
when the storm commenced with violence
and soon every trace of the road disappeared.
| The entire horizon was covered with thick
! yellow cloud. from whence fell masses rather
| than flakes of snow; and soon all distinction
between land and sky was lost In vain did
Vladimir try to find his way. His horse
wen. on at random. sometimes elm bing over
heaps of snow, sometimes falling into ravines.
Every moment the sledge was in imminent
danger Of being upset and, in addition, the
pleasant conviction forced itself on ladimir
shat he had lost his way. The wood Of Ja-
drno was nowhere to be seen; and after two
hours of this sort Of work. the poor horse was
ready TO drop from fatigue.
AT length sort of dark liuc became visi-
hle in front: he urged his horse onwarts, and
found himself on the borders of forest -
"Oh," he exclaimed, IL am all right now |
shall easily find my way to Jadrno" lie en-
tered the forest. Of which the branches were
so thcky intellaccd that the snow had not
penetrated through them, and the road was
easy to follow. The horse prickcd up his
ears and went on readily, while Nladimer felt
his spirits revive.
However, us they say in the fairy tales. he
went on aud on and on, aud yet could not find
Jadrino. His poor tired steed with the ut
most difficulty dragged him TO the other side
Of the forest: and by the time he had arrived
! there the storm had ceased, and the moon
| shone out. No appearance, however Of Ja-
drino: before him lay extended large plain,
toward the centre of which the poor Traveller
| deserted cluster Of four or five houses. lie
/ hastened towards the nearest.and descending
/ from the sledge. knocked at the window. A
small door il the shutter opened, and the
white beard Of an old man appeared
What DO you want p
as it far to Jadrino?'
| "Jadriuo About ten versts."
At this reply Vladimir felt like criminal
condemned 10 execution.
Can You" said he, furnish me- with hor.
scs to 90 thereY
I'VE have no horses
"Wol>, then, a guide will give him what
ever he asks"
"Wait, then, said the old man; Iii send
you my SON"
The window was carefully closed, and Z
considerable time elapsed. Vladimir whose
! mrateuce became quite uncomfortable
knocked again loudly at the shutter.
The old man reappcared.
Nv hat do you want 2
Your son."
"lIe's coming; he is dressing himself. Are
You cold ? Come in and warm yourself"
mo, no, send out your son."
AT length young nd with a stout stica
in his hands, made his appearance, and le,
the way across the snow-covered plain.
"What o'clock is it p asked vladimir.
"Day will soon break"
The suns rays, indeed, had begun TO guile
the east, and the village cocks were CROWN!
when they arrived at Jadrino. The chugcl
door was closed. Vladimir, having paid anC
dismissed his guide. FASTENED towards the
priests dwelling? What was lie about t
hear?
Let us first inquire what was going on il
the mansion Of the master of Nenaradoil.-
just nothing at all. In the morning the hus
band and wife got mp as usual, and went int
the catlng-roOm-- Gabriel Gubrilovitch. in hi
woolen vest and niGht-cap aud Petrowna il
her dreSslng-Sown.
Tea was served, and Gabriel sent a maj,
to inquire for Mari The girl returned will
q message that her young mistress had passed
a restless night, but now felt better and wa
coming down. In few minutes Mari enter
ed and embraced her parents.
,"Ilow DO you feel, my poor little one ?
asked her father
Better" was the answer.
The day passed of as usual but toward
evening Mari became very i'll aud leyerish.-
The family physician was summoned from
the nearest town. and when he arrived h
found his patient in high fever. During
fourteen days she continued on the brink .
grave.
Nothing was known of her nocturnal fight
as the waiting maid, for her own sake, wa
prudently silent On the subject; nor did an.
Of the other accomplcis, even after having
drunk wine. breathe word on the subject, 81
much did all parties dread the wrath of Ga
bricl. Mari. however during her deliriun
raved so incessantly about Vladimir that he
mother could not doubt that her illness wa
caused by love. She and her husband con
suited some Of their friends on the subject
and, as the result Of the conference, it Wa
unanimously decide that Mari was destinet
to marry the eusign-that one cannot ayoi,
ones fate-that riches do not ensure happi
ness-and other fine maXims Of the sam
kind.
The invalid recovered. Vladimir, durin
her illness, had never appeared at the house
and il was determined that his uneNpecte,
good fortune should be announced to him
that he should be told he was now free I
marry his beloved. What was the astonisl
ment Of the proud owners of Nenaradof whe
they received in reply from the young ensgr
in which he declared that he would never Ell
ter their dwelling again, aud prayed them I
forget an unhappy being, for whom death wa
: the only refuge
, A few days afterwards they learned tina
Vladimir had rejoired the army. Ii was j
I 4