Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-03-15

ml0-WlnleTr ana lOWaFuS CiooC Va
the seventeenth century. Russia IS the
scene.
La the suburbs of Moscow, and very
near the river Moskwa, stood an humble
cot, which betrayed a neatness of ar
rangemsnt and show of taste tina, more
than made up for its smallness of size
Back of the cot was TN artisans shop, nd
other out-buiIdings. This shop was de-
voted to the manufacture of firearms,
mostly. Some swords and other edged
weapons, were made here upon special
application.
The master of this tenement was the
hero of our tale, Ruric Newell We Ind
him standing by his forge, watching the
white smoke as it curled up towards the
throat of the chimney. He was young
man, not over three-and-twenty, and pos
sessed frame of more than ordinary
symmetry and muscular Development
He was no, large-not above medium
size-but single glance at the swelling
chest, the broad shoulders, and the SIN
envy ridges of the bare arms, told at once
that he was master of great physical pow
er. His father had been killed IN the
late war with the Turks. and hls son, leav-
ing his mother with a suffi ;lency, went 10
Spain soon after the bereavement. There
he found work In the most noted armo-
RES: and now, well versed IN his trade,
he hal returned 10 his native city TO fol-
low his calling. and support his mother.
Near by stood boy-Paul Peepof =
a bright, intelligent lad, some fifteen
years of age, who had bound himself to
the gunlaaker for the purpose OF learning
the art.
Claudia Nevll, Ruric's mother, was a
noble looking woman, and the light OF her
sui handsome corntenance was never
brighter than when gazing upon her boy.
She had thankful loving heart, and a
prayerful, hopeful soul.
1t is showing again, faster than ev-
err" remarked Paul, as he took his seat
at the supper-lable, IN company with the
others.
"Ah," returned Ruric, resting his knife
a few moments while he bent his ear to
listen to the voice OF the storm had
hoped 'twoud snow no more for the pres
ent. The snow is deep enough now
And how it blows J.
Never mind" spoke the dame. in a
trustful, easy tone, - 1t must storm when
il lis,elh, and we can only thank God that
we have shelter, and pray for those who
have none"
"Amenr' responded Ruric, ferventiy
The meal was at length eaten, and The
table set back, and shortly afterwards
Paul retired to his bed.
Ruric drew his char close up TO the
Fireplace, and leaning against the jam he
bowed his head In absorbing thought
This had become a habit with him OF late
His mother having observed these hts Of
abstraction, became uneasy and pressed
Ruric to tell her what 1t was over which
he was SO constantly and SO moodllN
brooding Being thus urged. Ruric con
fessed that il was St Rosallnd ValdaI (tRt
orphan daughter of nobleman, and nov
TIE ward of Olga, the powerful and
naughty Duke of Tuia) he was thinking
Ruric's father, and the father of Rosa
lind, had been comrades In arms IN thell
youth, and their children had been play
mates. But when the elder Newell wa:
slain in battle, RurIc was yet boy, and
the widow and her son remained poor and
obscure; while Valdai, more fortunate
had risen TO a high rank, and dying, lef
Rosalind a title and a fortune.
The young people, however, had not
forgotten each other. Rurc loved Ro
salind with all the fervor of his being
and he felt assured that Rosalind return.
ed his love. A. he and his mother sa
debating the matter on that stormy night
a loud knock upon the outer door startl ec
them.
Is there any one here 2" the gunma.
ker asked, as he opened the door. bowling
his head and shielding his eyes from the
driving snow with one hand
Yes" returned voice form the Sly
gian darkness. In Gods name lei ms
In, or shall perish"
Then follow quickly" said Rurlc.-
"Here-glve me your hand. There
now come"
The youth found the thickly-gloved
hand-gloved with the softest fur-and
having led the invisible applicant into the
hall he closed the door, aud then led the
way 10 the kitchen. Without speaking
Ruric turned and gazed upon the new
conner. The stranger. who was equally
DESTROYS of asCertainIng what manner OF
man Ruric was. was monk--and habl-
ted something like one of the Black monk.
of ST. Michael. He was OF medium high
and possessed a rotundIty OF person which
was comical TO behold.
Al length, after warming himself by
the fire, The guest asked If he could be
accommodated with some sleeping place,
and being answered IN the affirmative,
Ruric sho we'd him 10 a chamber and then
retired himself.
Tae mex, morning after breakfast. the
Monk went with Rurlc to TO MS shop, nd
examined with much interest the various
weapons therein. Rurlc questioned him
closely as TO whether he had ever met
him before. but the monk replied evasive-
ly, and after saying that In case the gun
maker should ever. In any great emerg-
encv, need friend. that he might apply