The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-05

A Tale OF the Empire under Peter the Grea

tale OF the Empire under Peter the Great.
CHAPTER l.
The time at which We open our story Is md
winter, and towards the close OF the seventeenth
century Russia Is the scene.
In the suburbs of Moscow, and very near the
river Moskwa, stood an humble cot, which betrayed
neatness of arrangement and show Of taste that
more than made up for its smallness Of size. Back
OF the cot was an artizans shop, and other out
buildings The shop was devoted to the manuiac-
ture of firearms, mostly. Some swords, and other
edged weapons, were made here upon special ap-
phcation.
The master of this tenement was the hero Of our
tale Ruric Newell. We find him standing by his
forge watching the white smoke as it curled up to-
wards the throat of the chimney. He was young
man, not over three-and-twenty, and possessed a
frame of more than ordinary symmetry and muscu-
lar deveopement. He was not large-not above a
medium size-but single glance at the swelling
chest, the broad shoulders and the snewy ridges o.
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 Turks, and the son
leaving his mother with sufficiency 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 had returned to his
native city to follow his calling, and support his
mother.
Near by stood boy-Paul Peepoff, bright, in
telligent lad, some fifteen years of age who had
bound himself to the gunmaker for the purpose Of
Claudia Newell, Ruric's mother, was noble look
ing woman, and the light of her still handsome
countenanee was never brighter than when gazing
upon her boy. She had a thankful, loving heart
and prayerful, hopeful soul.
at is showing again, faster than ever remarked
Paul, as he took his seat at the supper table, in
company with the others.
"Ah, returned Euric, resting his knife q few mo-
ments while he bent his to listen to the voice Of
the Storm Il had hoped twoud snow no more for
the present. The snow is deep enough now. And
how it blows.'
"Never mind" smoke the dame, in trustful
easy tone, ut must storm Nheh IL iisteih, aud We
can only thank God that we have shelter, and pray
for those who have none"
"Amen' responded Ruric, fervently.
The meal was at length eaten, and the table sat
back and shortly afterwards Paul retired to his
bed
Ruric drew his chair close up to the fireplace
and leaning against the jam, be bowed his head
ia absorbing thought. This had become a habit
with him Of late. His mother having observed
these fits Of abstraction, became uneasy and
pressed Ruric 10 tell her what it was over which
he was so constantly and SO moodily brooding.
Being thus urged, Ruric confessed that 1t was OF
Rosalind Valdai (the orphan daughter Of a noble
man and now the ward Of Olga, the powerful aud
naughty Duke of Tula) he was thinking. Rurics
father, and the father of Rosalind had been com
rades in in their youth, and their children had
been playlnates. Bnt when the elder Newell was
slain in battle, Rurc was but boy, and the widow
and her son remained poor and obscure; while
yaldai, more fortunate had risen to high rank,
and dying left Rosalind tItle and fortune.
each other Ruric loved Rosalind with all the
fervor of his being, and he felt assured that Rosa
lind returned his love. AS he and his mother sat
debating the matter on that stormy night, a loud
knock upon the outer door startled them.
as there any one herey the gunmaker asked, as
he opened the door, bowling his head and shielding
Nc c cye- from the driving sno% with one hand
yes returned voice " ,,. -,vrgon dar1,
pe-s, an Gods name let me in, or shall perish.
~"Then follow quickly" said Rlric. "dere-give
me your hand. Thore--nOw come"
The youth found the thiclly gloved hand-gloved
with the sofjest fur-and having led the invisible
applicant into the han he closed the door, and then
led the way to the kitchen. Without speaking
Rurc turned and gazed upon the new conner. The
stranger, who was equally DESTROYS OF ascertaining
what manner Of man Rurlc was, was a monk, aud
habited something like one of the black monks OF
St. Michael. He was Of medium height, and pos
sessed rotundity Of person which was eomical to
behold.
At length, after warming himself by the fire, the
guest asked If he could be accommodated with
come sleeping place, and heing answered in the
affirmative, Ruric showed him to q chamber and
then retired himself.
The next morning, after breakfast, the monl
went with Ruric to his shop, and examined witt
much interest the various weapons therein. Rur
questioned him closely as to whether he had eve
met him before, but the monk replied evasively
and after saying that in case the gunmaker SHOULD
ever, in any great emergency, need friend, tina
he might apply to him, he took his leave,
Towards the middle Of the afternoon, just as Ru
rio had finished tempering some parts OF gui
lock, the back door OF his shop was opened ant
two men entered. They were young men, dressed
in costly furs, and both of them stout and goot
looking The gunmaker recognized them a. thu
Count Conrad DanonoT and his friend Stcpher
Urzen
Il think speak with Ruic Newell" said thu
Count moving forward.
'You do returned Ruric not at al surprised b.
The visit since people Of all classes were in th'
habit Of calling at his place TO order arms.
"You are acquainted with the Lady Rosalind Val
dsi7" he said.
IL am" answered Ruric, now beginning to won
der.
"Well, sir >" resumed DamonoiY, with much hangt
tiness. "perbaps my business can be quickly am
satisfactorily settled. IL Is my desire TO make tn
Lady Rosalind nay wife,
Ruric Newell started at these words, aud he clasp
ed his hands to hide their tremulousness. But b
was not long debating upon an answer.
and why have you come to me with this inioI
nation, sirTi he asked.
"Ruric Newell, you shall not say that did no
make myself fully understood, and hence ! will es
plain. The Count spoke this as speaksa man VIII
Ieeis mat he is doing a very condescendng thing
ana IN the same tone he proceeded:-"fhe Lad
Kosalind IS OF noble parentage and very wealthy
MY own station and wealth are equal with hers.
love ner, and must have her for my wife. / hav
been TO see the noble Duke, her guardian and h
objects not to my suit. But he informed me tina
there was one impeachment, and that was her low
Tor you. he KNOWS iult wel-as know, and az al
must know-that she could never become your wife
but yet he is anxious not to interfere too musl
against her nclinations. So simple denial from
YOU, to the effect that you can never claim he
hand, is all that is necessary. have paper her
signature. Here-it is only plain, simple avowa
on your part that you have no hopes nor thought
OF seeking the hand of the lady in marriage"
As the Count spoke he drew paper from tn
bosom of his marten doublet, and having opened II
he handed it towards the gunmaker. But RuriC