Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1859-03-11
gaE GUmMkEER OF MOSCOW.


CHAPTER /.
HNlE time at which We open our story is
miGwinter, and towards the close OF
tne seventeenth century. Russia is the
sUcue.
In the suburbs of Moscow, and very
near the river Mo,kwa, stood an humble
cot, which betrayed neatncss Of arrange
meut aud show OF taste that more than
made up for its smalagss of SIZE. Back
of the cot was an ar,izln's shop, aud other
out buildings. This shop was devoted to
the Manufacture of firearms, mostly.
S me swords, and other edged weapons,
were made here upon special application.
The muster OF this tenement was the
hero Of cur tale, Ruric Newell. We find
him standing by his forge, watching the
white smoke as it eurted up towards the
throat If the chimney He was a young
man of not over three-aud twenty, and
possessed Of frame OF more than Ordlna-
w symmetry and muscular developement.
He was not large-not above medium
siAe-tut single glance at the swelling
chest, the broad shoulders, and the sinewy
ridges of the bare arms, told at once that
he was master Of great physical power.
His father had been killed IN the then late
war with the Turhs, anJ the son, leaving
his mother with suihciency OF sustenance,
went to Spain soCn after the bereavement
There he found work in the most noted
u. mories; and now well versed in the
trade, he had returned TO his native city
- follow his calling aud support his mo
ther.
Near by stood a boy-Paul Pccpoff-
n bright intelligent lad, some fifteen years
Of age, who had bound himself to the
guumaker for tue purpose OF learning the
art.
Claudia Ncvel, Ruric5 mother, was
noble lcohing woman, aud the light of hes
still handsome counteuance, was never
brighter than when gazing upon her boy.
She had thankful, loving heart, and u
prayerful, hopeful soul.
at is showing again, faster than ever,
remarked Paul, as be took seat at the !
in company with the others.
"Ab, returned Ru,ic, resting his knife
a few moments while he bent lis ear to
listen to tie voice Of the storm. u had
hoped 'twould snow no more g the pres
opt. TIE SNOW is deep enough now, And
how it blows -
"Never mind" spoke the dame, in a
trustful easy tone, 'it must storm when 1t .
llsteth, and We can only thank God that
we have shelter, AID pay for those who
have none"
"Amen ~ responded Ruric, fervently.
The meal was at length eaten, and the
table set back, and shortly afterwards Paul
retired to his bed.
Ruric drew his chair close up to the
fire place, and leaning against the jam be
bowed his head in absorbing thought
This had become habit with him of late
His mother having observed these fits of
abstraction, became uneasy and pressed .
Ruric to tell her what it was over which :
lie was SO constantly and SO moodily
brooding. Being thus urged, Ruric con
fcssed that it was of RosaIud Naldai (the .
orphan daug:er of nobleman, and now
the ward of Olga, the powerful and haugh- .
ty Duke Of Tu!a) be was thinking Ra-
ric's father, aud the father of Rosaliud,
had been comrades In arms in their youth,
and their children had been playmates.
But when the elder Newell was slain in
battle, Ruric was yet a boy, and the widow
aud her son remained poor and obscure ;
W bile Valdai, more fortunate, bad risen to
a high rank, ard dying, lcf, ROsalind a
title aud fortune. +
The young people, however, had not
forgotten each other. Rurlc loved Rosa
lind with all the fervor of his being, and
be felt assured that ROsalind returned his
love. AS he aud his mother sat debating
the matter on that stormy night, loud
knock upon the outer door startled them.
as there any one here?' the gunmak
er asked, as he opened the doO!, bowling
his head, and shielding his eyes from the
driving snow with one hand.
YES" returned voice from the Stygi-
an darkness. "In Gods name let me in,
or l shal PERISH
"Then follow quickly" said Ruric.
" Here-give me your hand.-There-
now come"
The youth found the thickly gloved
hand-g.oved with the softest fur-and
having led the Invisible applicant into the
hall he closed the door, and then led the
way to the kitchen. Without speaking,
Ruric tnrucd and gazed upon the new.
conner. The stranger, rio ,ras cquaiy de-
sTous Of usce,taiHiay ,riat manner Of man
Ruric lras, was monk-and babited
like one Of the Black monks of
St. Michael. He was Of medium height,
and possessed rotundity Of person which
MAS comicA; TO behold.
At length, after warming himself by the
Ere, the guest asked il he could be ac-
commodated with some sleeping place, and
being answered in the affirmative, Ruric
.howed him to a chamber and then retired
himself.
The next morning, alter breakfast, the
Monk went with Ruric to his shop, aud
examined with much interest the various
capous therein. Ruric questioned him
closely as to whether be had ever mel him
before, but the Monk replied evasively, and
after saying that in case the gunmaker
should ever, in any great emergency, need
friend, that he nj ght apply to him, he
took his leave.