The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-03-05


Thsn here's TO orr b,yhood, its god and its gray
The stars ofits Winter, the dewS OF its hsy
Aud xasn y, haze done with eGs lie ssnIg toys.
Dear fashsr. take y, :, ~ =. -. ~ the Boys
THE QUINN a X SIT or MOSCOW.
A TALE OF THE EMPiIE UNDER PETER
TIE GREAT.
CHAPTER L.
The time at which we open our story is mill
winter, and towards the close OF the seventeenth
century. Russia 10 the scene.
In tie subrrbs OF Moscow, and very near the
river Moskws, stood an humble cot, which be-
srsyed q nestness OF arrangement and sho" OF
taste that more than made up for its smallness OF
a,xe Back Of the cot was an artisans shop, and
other out buildings. This shop WAS devoted to
The manufacture Of firearms, mostly. Some
swords, and other edged weapons, we're made here
upen special application.
The "a aster Of this tenement was the hero of our
tale. Ruric Newell. We find him Standing by his
Jorge watching the white smoke a. 1t curled up
towards the throat OF the chimney. he was d
,ouna man. not over three-sndtSenty, ami pos
se,sed a frame Of more than ordinary symmetry
and mu .cular development. He was not large
not above Q medium size-but single glance az
the swelling chest, the broad shoulders, SID tbs
siuevy ridges o! the bare arms. told at 0nrs
that he was master of great physical power. His
father had been killed In the then late war with
the Turks, and the sou, leaSns his mother with
a suf3ciency of sustenance, went TO spain sooa
ia the most noted arraories; and now, we'll
sersed 10 the trade, he had returned to his IA
tive city to follow his calling, and support his
mother.
Near BY stood q boy-paui PeepOd-s bright,
Intelligent lad, some fifteen years Of age, who
had bouud hmaef to the gunnsker for the pur"
pose OF learning the art.
Claudia Newell, Rurc's mother, noble
looking esomsn, and the light of her stu hand
some couutenauce was never brighter than when
gazing upon her boy. She had n thankful, loving
heart, aud prsyerfui, hopeful soul.
at 10 showing again, faster than ever" remark
ed Paul. be took his seat at the supper table, IA
company with the others.
"Ah," returned Ruric, resting his knife few
moments while he bent bis ssr to leteu to the
voice of the storm. 81 had hoped 'twoutd snow
Do more for the present. The suow IL deep enough
now. Aud how 1t blows"
s.Nevsr mind" spoke the DAME In y trustful.
easy tone, sit must storm when 1t listeth, aud
We can only thank God that We have shelter, aud
pray for those who have none
"Ameu." responded Ruric, ferveOtiy.
The meal was at length eaten, and tue table set
back, and shortly afterwards Paul retired to his
bed.
Rurlc drew Ills chair close up to the ii re place,
and leaning against the Lm he bowed his head In
sbsorbtoe thought. This had become habit with
him of late. His mother haviog observed these
As Of abstraction, became uneasy ana pressed Ru-
Yic 70 tell her what IL was over watch be was So
constantly aud 30 moodily brooding. Bein thus
urged, Ruric confessed that it was OF EJsaDd
vsldsi (the orphan daughter of uohlemau, aud
nov the ward of Olga, the powerful aud naughty
Duke of Cu!x3 he was WAS thinking. Rurc's faith
or, and the father OF Rosaliud, had been comrades
In arms ia their youth, and their children had
been playmates. But when the elder Newell wa
slain 10 battle, Ruric waa yet boy, and the wi
dow and her SOL remained poor aud obscure; while
Vsldai, more fortunate, had risen to high rank.
and dying, left >sslind title and fortune.
The young people, however. had not forgotten
each other. Ruric loved RosalInd with al the fer.
vor o h, being, aud he felt assured that Rosalind
returned his love As he and his mother sat des
bstiug the matter tina: stormy light, loud
kuoek upon the outer door startled them.
ia there any one heret" the gunmaser AK
Cd ~ he opened the door, bowling his bead
aud shielding bis eyes from the drviag snow With
Yes" returned q voice from the Stygian
dsrkless. lin God's name lie. ne in or l shall
psri.b."
:" Then follow quickly" said kuric "Here-
give me your hand. Tbere-uow come"
Tho youth found the thickly gloved hand
giovsd with the softest fur-and having led she
Invisible applicant into the hail he closed the door,
and then led the way to the kitchen. Without
speaking, Rnric turned and gs2ei upon the
cOmer The stranger. fcto teas equally DESTROYS Of
1scsytd:afag What 'aaaasT If man Rsrie ,rGs, Was
mook-s"d habtted some,h hing ike the Back
monks Of 81. Michael. He was Of medium. height,
and possessed OF rotundisy OF person which was
eomicsl 20 behold.
Al Length, after warming himself by the q re, the
guest asked If he conid be accommodated with
some sleeping place, aud being answered in the
Affirmative, Rnrc showed him to chamber, and
then retired himself
The next morning. after breakfast, the Monk
went with kurc to bis shop, and examined with
much interest the various weapons therein -
kuric questioned bin closely AS to whether he
nad ever mat him before, but tie Monk replied
evssively, aud after saying that ia case the qua.
maker should ever, in any great emergency, need
= Hieno, that he might apply to him, he took his
Towards the middle of the afternoon. inst a.,
Nnric had flushed temperng sume parts of a
~ lock, the back door OF the shop was opeped
eua Two men entered. They were Young men,
dressed 10 sostly furs. aud both of them stout
aud good looking. The guomsker recopnige ID
them a. the Count Conrad Danonefi and his friend
Stephen Urzen.
VI think speak with Ruric Newell" said the
Seuus, moving forward
Yen do" returned Euric, not at ALL snrnrisad
BY the VISIT since people Of all classes we're in the
habit OF calling at his place to order arms
lyon are acquainted with the Lady Rosaiind
valdsif" he said.
al am" answered Ruric, now beginning TO won.
sWsll, sir" resumed Damopon, with mncb
hauahiiness, "perhaps lay buSiness eau be quick
~ sod satisfactorily settled. 1t is my tlesire to
make the LadyR0saiind my wife"
Ruric Newell started at these words. and he
chained his hands to hide their treuulousDess
Bat be vss not long debating upon an answer.
"Aud why have you come to me with this into
nation, sirf" he asked.
~Ruric Newell, you shalt not say that did not axe
uysolf folly understood, and hence l will ex-
plain" The Count spoke this as speaks man
Who feels that he 10 doing a very condesceEdng
shiug and 10 the same tone he proceeded The
Lady Kosalind 10 of noble parentsge and very
wealthy. Ny own station aud wealth are equal
equal with hers. love her, aud must have her
for my wife. ] have been 70 see the noble Duke,
her guardian, and be OF Gets not to my suit. Bat
he Informed me that there was one impeachment,
and that was her love for you. He knows full
wsli-ss know. and rs s,l must know-tbat she
couid never become your wife yet he 10 anxious
not 20 Interfere too much against her iisatons
10 simple denial from You, TO the effect hat Won
cen never claim her hand 10 all that in necasssry
have paper here, all drawn up aud All ,hs, I
require 10 simply your signature. Hsre-it IA on,v
. piaiu, simple ssowss Dyonr part that We hs =.
no hopes nor thoughts OF seeking the baud of ths
lady 10 marriage"
A. the Couuf spoke be drew a paper from the
bosom Of hts marten doubiet, and having ou.n.d
u b hspdsd u towards the gusmaker. But Ruric
took u not He drew back and gazed the visitor
etefply In the face.
"eir Count" be said, calmly and firmly, you
hAvs plainly stated your proposition, aud will o.
pssiov srswer cannot ego the paper"
Nh"i s..ped Danonef, IN quick passion. "Do
"Nost G.siyb
sbst yea viii sigs 81" hIssed Damoooff, turning
esss whn ssss "Iasre IL ts--sigL: IT, oe would
.p.ss.ps 3. cannot vri..," suggested ursep,
eostsGptsossly.