Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-03-10
The CUNMAKER OF MOSCOW.
A TALE OF THE EMPIRE UNDER
n-sf7 PETER THE GREAT III

The time at which we open our story
is midwinter, and towards the close oflthe
seventeenth century. Russia is the scene.
I In the suburbs Of Moscow, and very
near the river Moskwa, stood an humble
cot, which betrayed \ ncatncss of arrange
ment and show of taste that more than
made up for its smallncss Of size Back OF
the cot was an artisans shop, and other
out-bullmgS. This shop was devoted 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 Nevcl. We find him
standing by his forge, watching the white
smoke as it curled up towards the throat oI
the chimney. He was young man. not
over thrce-and-twcnty, and possessed a
frame of more than ordinary symmetry
and Muscular development. He was not
large--not above medium size--but a sin
gle glance at the swelling chest, the broad
shoulders. and the sinew ridges of the bare
arms. told at once that he was master o
great physical power His father hat
been killed in the then late war with tho
Torks, and the son, leaving his mother
/ with snfiiciency of sustenance, went to
Spain soon after the bereavement. There
he found work in the most noted armories
and now, well versed in the trade. he hat
returned to his native city to follow hi,
calling, anil support his mother. 90
Near by stood boy-Paul Peepoff--s
bright, intelligent lad, some fifteen year.
Of age, who had bound himself to the gun
maker for the purpose of learning tho
art. tatr r1flt sH rfa
Gambia Newell. Ruric's mother, was Q
noble looking woman, and the light of her
still handsome countcnance was mover
brighter than when gazing upon her boy
Sine had a thankful, loving heart, and
prayeful. hopeful soul
cit is showing again, faster than ever, ?
remarked Paul, as he took his seat a
the supper table, in company with thu
others. Hl
"Ah. returned Ruric, resting his knife I
few moments while Inc bent his ear tt
listen to the voice Of the storm IL had
hoped 'twould snow no more for the pres
ent. The snow is deep enough now. Ant
how ii blowsp'
"Never mind, spoke the dame, in trust
full, easy tone sit must storm when it list
eth, and we can only thank Col that W,
have shelter, and pray for those who have
none."5 1Fu gH fff g9egf
! "Amen! responded Ruric, fervently.
The meal was at length eaten, and tht
table set back, and shortly afterwards Pau
retired to his bed.
Ruric drew his chair close mp to tn,
fire. place, and leaning against the jam h
bowed his head in absorbing thought.--
This had become habit with him of late
: His mother having observed these fits O
r abstraction, became uneasy and presses
Ruric to tell her what it was over which h
was so constantly and so modify brood
J ing. Being thus urged. Ruric confesse'
! that it was Of Rosalind Valdai 1.-THE orplIal
|, daughter of anobleman. and now the WAR
: of Olga. the powerful and naughty Duk
of lula he was thinking. Ruric's father
|, and the father of Rosalind, had been com
, rades in arms in their youth, and their chill
> dren had been playmstes. But when th
$ elder Newell was slain in battle, Ruric wa
, yet boy, and the widow and her son re
: mained poor and obscure; while Valdai
> more fortunate, had risen to a high rank
anil dying, left Bosalind title and for
r tune. .is.'f rsrnsm ilf iatsi ri .aiis
n The young people, however had not for
: gotten each other. R,ric loved Rosalin
d with all the fervor of his being, and he fcl
: assured that Rosalml returned his love. :
|. As he and his mother sat debating til
. matter on that stormy night, loud knoc
!. upon the outer door startled them. ss
= ''ls there any one hcre%' the gunmalSe
- asked, as he opened the door, bowling hi
: head anil shielding his eyes from the DIR
wing snow with one hand. ~ 3
Yes" returned voice from the Stya
, ian darkness. 'In gods name let me il
or shall perish"
/, Then follow quickly" said Ruric-
"lere-give me yonr hand.-There-no
come -a s.ia .iH .r.ars,a -as.1afu .
: The youth found the thickly- glove
: lland-glove,l with the soitcst fur--an
having he'd the invisible applicant into tn
:. hall he closed the door, and then led the wa
II to the kitchen Without speaking Ruri
turned and gazed upon the newcomer. III
stranger mho ,cos equally DESTROYS Of a,
eerf@piny ,ehat manner Of man Rsric pol
: was a monk--and habiied something lik
one of the Black monks Of St. Michael
& He was of medium height. and possessed
c rotundity of person which was comical I
g behold. 81 -.S ifsA sif lo sgisf a7i /.
Il Atlength. after warming himself by Ill
FIRE, the guest aske'l if he could be accom-
: moda lated with some sleeping place, and bs
: ing answered in. the affirmative, Ruri
. showed him to chamber aud then retire
> himself il ....seais... N ~, = .eals
n The next morning. after breakfast, I'll
Monk went with Ruric TO his shop, an
examined with much interest the varior
9 weapons therein Ruric questioned hil
! closely as to, whether ne had ever met hin
before, but the Monk replied eyasivcly, an
J! after saying that in case the gunmak,
y should ever. in any great emergency. noe
. friend, that he might apply to him..
D took his leave. af s.s - lssl :
e Towards the middle Of the afternoo
5 just as Rnric had finished tempering SON
? parts Of gun-lock, the back door of h
= shop was opened, aud two men entere
They were young men, dressed in cost
ifurs, and both Of them stout and goo