The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-06-04

on the pretext Of violent headache, Her
waiting maid was In the secret, and they
were both to slip out through a back door,
hear which they would find sledges waiting to
convey them to the chapel of Jadrino, about
i've vertsts distant, where Vladimir and the
priest would await them.
Having made her preparations, ard written
a long letter of excuse to her parents, Mari
retired at an early hour to her room. Daring
the day she had complained of a headache,
which certainly was more than pretext, for
nervous excitement had maGe her really ILL
Her father and mother watched her tenderly,
and constantly asked her, Show do you feel
now, Mari? are you still sufering?o Their
fond solitude wen. to the young girls heart,
and with the approach of evening her agitation
i creased. At dinner she ate nothing, and
soon afterwards rose to take leave of her par
ents. They embraced her, and according 10
.heir usual custom gave her their blessing
Mari could hardly refrain from sobbing. When
she reached her chamber she threw herself
into an armchair, and wept aloud. Her wait
ing maid tried to console and cheer her. and
at length succeeded.
There was snow-storm that night; the
wihd how.ed outside the house, and shook the
windows. The young gir.: however, as soon
as the household had retired to rest, wrapped
herself up in thick mufiings, and, followed
by her maid carrying valise, gained the out
er door. They found sledge drawn by 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.
All that day he had been actively employed.
In the morning he had visited the priest of
Jadrino, in order to arrange with him about
perfol ming the ceremony; and then he set of
to procure the necessary witnesses. The first
acquaintance to whom he addressed himself
was hAf pay officer, who willingly consent
ed TO what he wished. "Such an adventure, y
he said, ''reminded him pleasantly of the DAYS
of his YOUTH" He prevailed on Vladimir to
remain with him. promising to procure for him
the other two witnesses. Accordingly, there
appeared at dinner the geometritan, Schmidt.
with his mustaches and spurs, and the son of
Captain Ispravnik, lad of seventeen; who
had inst entered the Uhan corps. Both prom
ised 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 preparations. Having dis
patched servant on whom he could RELY with
the slcdge for Mari, he himself go, into one
horse sledge and started for Jadrino. Scarce
ly nd he set out, when the storm commenc ed
with violence, and soon every trace of the
road disappeared. The entire horizon was
covered with thick yellow cloud, whence
fell masses rather taaan flakes of snow: and
soon all distinction between land and sky was
lost. In vain did Vladimir try to find his way.
tbs horses went out at random, sometimes
climbing over heaps of snow, sometimes fall
ing into ravines. Every moment the sledge
was in immediate danger of being upset; aud,
in addition, the unpleasant conviction forced
Itself on Vladimir that be had lost his way
The wood OF Jadrino was nowhere to be
seen; and after two hours Of this sort of work,
the poor horse was ready to drop flom ia
tigue.
AT length sort of dark line became visible
IN front. He urged his horse onward. and
found himself on the borders Of forest. sOh, y
he exclaimed, III am all right now: 7 shall
easily find my way to Jadrinoo lie entered
he forest, of which the branches were so
thickly interlaced that the snow had not men,
eirated through them. and the road was easy
10 follow. The horse picked up his ears and
went in readily, and Vladimir felt his spirit
revive
However, as they say in the fairy tales; he
went ON and on, and yet could not find Jadrino.
His poor tired steed, with the utmost difscul-
~ dragged HIM to the other side of the fore ST;
and by the time he had arrived there the sor m
had ceased, and the moon shone out. No an
pearanee, however, of Jadrino; before him Law
extended large plain, towards the centre of
which the poor traveller deserted cluster of
fonr or five houses. He hastenrd towards the
nearest, and descending from the sledge,
Knocked at the window. A small door of the
shutter opened, aud the white beard of an old
man appeared.
''What do you want?o
els il far to Jadrno?''
"Jadrino! About ten versts.,,
AT this reply Vladimir felt like criminal
condemned to execution
Scan yon," said he furnish me with horses
to go there?o
"We have no llors ,s.''
"Weli, then, guide; will give him what
ever he asks.u
SWAT, then" said the old man, oIIl send
you my son.n
Ihe window was carefully closed, and
considerable time elapsed. Vladimer, whose
lnpatience became quite unconcontollable,
knocked again loudly al the shutter.
The old man reappeared.
"What do -ou want?"
"Your son."
"He's coming; he is dressing himself. Are
Ion eo'd9 Come in and warm YOURSELF"
mo, no; send out your son."
Atlength young lad with stout stick in
IN bis hand, made his appearance, and led the
way across the snow covered plain.
"What o'clock is il 90 asked Vladimir.