The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1859-03-11
The Gnnmaker Of Moscow.
A Tale of the Empire under Peter the Great.
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The time at which we open our story
midwinter, and towards the close OF the Sc
enteeu,h century. Russia is the scene.
la the suburbs Of Moscow, aud very ne
the river Moskwa, stood an humble CO
which betrayed nestness Of srransemen q
and show OF taste that more than mad. II,
for its smsllness Of size. Back Of the c.
vas sn artisans shop, aud other out. build
ings. This shop was devoted 10 the manu-
lecture OF Firearms, mostly. Some swords
and other edged weapous, were made her
upon special application.
The mater OF this tenement was the here
OF our tale, Ruric Newell. We find hin
standing by his forge, watching the whit,
smoke as ii curlel up tow ards the throat o
the chimney. He was young man, no
over three -and-iweniy, aud possessed
frame of more than ordinary symmetry ant
muscular development. He was not large
not above a medium size - but a siugl,
glance at the swelling chest, the broad
shoulders, aud the sinewJ ridges Of the bar.
arms, told at once that he was master o
great physical poser. His father had been
killed ia the thea la'e war with the Turks
and the son, leaving his mother with su E
heiency Oi suStenance. went TO Spain soon
silef the bereavement. There he found
work in the most noted armDries; aud no W
well versed IN the trade, he had returned L
his native city TO follow his calling, an,
support his mother.
Near by stood bov-Panl PeepofT-.
bright, Intelligent lad. some fifteen years n
age, who had bound himself to the gun.
uaher for the purpose Of learning the art.
Claudia Newell, RurIcs mother, was a
noble looking woman, and the light OF he
s,lll handsome cOuntrnance was nevet
hT . t.Il la ~ han h..fI 4
She had thankful, LOVING heart, aud o
praysrful, hopeful soul.
''lt is showing again, faster than ever"
TelniTkcd Paul, as he took hls seat at the
supper. table. in company with the others.
"Ah,' returned RuTic, resting his knife
q few moments while he bent his ear To lis
ten TO the voice of the storm. al had hoped
't~uuId snow no more for the present. -
The snow IS deep enough now. Aud how
II blOwsp'
Never mind" spoke the dame, in o
uUstful tone, "ii must storm when It listeth,
and we cou only thank God that we have
sh' lie I, and pray for those who have none"
"AmenP' responded Rurlc, fervently.
The meal was at length eaten, and the
table set back, aud sLUGly aileIw ards Paul
retired to his bed.
Rune drew his chair close up TO The fire.
ed his head in absorbing thought This had
become habit with him ol late. HIS mother
having observed these tilsof abstric ion, be
came uneasy and pressed RnrIc Ia tell her
what II was ov,r which he was so constant
ly aud so moodly bfooding. Being thus
urged, Rurlc confessed that 1t was OF Rosa
lind Yaldai (the orphan daughter of noble.
man, and now the ward of Olga, the power
iul an'i naughty Duke ofTua) he was lhlnI
ing. Rune 8 father, and the ther Of Rosa.
lind, had been comrades in arms IN their
youth, and their children had been lay
males. But when the elder Newell was
slam ia battle, Rurlc was yet boy, and the
widow aud her son remained pooi and OBJ
scure: while Vsldai, more fortunate. had
TIstn 10 high rank, aud dying, lett Rosa
lind title aud fortune.
The young people. however. had not for
gotten each other. Rurlc loved R0Salind
with nj the ftrvor of his being, and he felt
assured that RoSaIind returned his love. -
As lie aud his mother sat debating tue mat.
ter on that stormy night. a loud knock upon
the outer door startled them.
els there any one hetri' the gunmaker
asked, as lie opened the door, blwlng his
head, and shielding his eyes from the driving
snow with Que hand.
"Ees," returned voice from the Siypian
dark. "ln Gods name let nut in, or shall
perish"
"Thrn follow quickly" said Ruric.-
"HeIe- give me your hand. TheIe-nOw
Gomez
The youth found the thickly .ploved hand
tsloved with the soltest fur aud having led
the invisible applicant INTO the tall, he
closed the door, and then led the way to the
kitchen. Without speaking, Rare turned
Ted he IA
ger, VINO was equally desire rs Of ascertain.
ing what manner Of man RurIc was, was
monk--and hahlted something like one Of
tue Black monks OF st. Michael. Tie was
Of medium hight, and possessed rotundity
VI person which was comlcal 10 behold
Al length alter warming himself by the
hit, The sue Il asked II he could b accom-.
moddted with some sleeping. place. and be.
ins answered IN the Affirmative. RuriO show.
ed him " chamber aLd iEen retired hIm.
S,lf
The next morning. after breakfast, the
monk went with Rutic TO hIs shop, and ex.
an'in-d with much interest the various
weapons therein. Rurc questioned him
closely as to whether he had ever met him
before, but the monk replIet. Lvaslyely, and
alter saying that in case the gunmaker
should ever. in any crent emergency. need
Ilenu, That he m'Sht sRp,y ~ him, he
took his leave.
ToYaris the middle Of The afternoon. Just
as Ruric had flushed tempering some plrts
Ola gun lock, the back door Of ms shop was
opened. aud two men entered. They were
ydnng men. dressed ~ costly furS, aud both
o! them stout aud good looking. The gun.
maker recoEn ze Il them rs ths Count Conrad
Dnmonof. and his lriend. Stephen Urzen.
81 think speak with Ruric Newell" said
the Count, IN wing forward.
You do" returned Ruric, not at all sur.
prlsed by the vlslt. snce p'opleof all class.
IS were IN the habit of calling at his place
TO order arms.
"fOm are acquainted with the Lady Rosa.
lind Valdaii' he said.
al am" answered Ruric, now beginning
to wNnder,"
swell, sif,'' resumed DamonoG, with
much hanshlinesS, "perhaps my business
can be quickly aud satisfactorily settled. II
Is my desIIe 10 MAKE the Lady ROsalind my
wif.."
Runc Newell started at these words, and
he claSped his hands to hide their tremu lous.
ness. But he was not long debating upon
an answer
"And why have you come to me with this
infor alton, suF' he asked.
"Ruric Newell, you snail 1ol say that did
not make myself fully understood, and
hence viii explsln." The Count spuk {
this rs speak, lna0 who feels that he is do
ing very condescending thing. and III lbt
same tone he proceeded; "rhe Lady Rosa
Ind Is OF noble percentage and very wealthy
My own station and wealth are equal with
hers. ] love her, and must have her for m,
WIFE. have been to see the noble Duke
her guardian, and he objects not TO my SUIT
n, IA r.. .aI At ka,
pediment, and that was her love for you.
lie knows full well, as ! knew, and as al
must know, that she could never beconl,
yonr wiiei but yet he is anxious not to in
terlsre too nuch against her inclinations.
80 simple denial iIom you, 10 the eiIec
that you can never claim her hand, is all tina
Is necessary. ! have paper here all draw
up, and all that ! require is simply you
signature. Here--it is only a plain, sirnpl
nor tsoasbigso I igoaf az PAT that yon have no hope
in marriage,