The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-03-11
VOLUME X. NO. 10.
The Gunmaker Of Moscow.
ATALu OF TuE
Empire under Peter the Great,
CHAPTER /.

In the suburbs of Moscow, aud Very
near the river Moskwa, stood an humble
cot. which betrayed neatness OF ar.
ranpement and show of taste that more
than made up. Tor its smallness Of size
Back Vi the cot was an artisans shop, and
other out buildings. This shop WAS de-
voted 10 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 oil our tale, Ruric Ncycl. We lind
him standing by his lorgeN watching The
white smoke as it cured up towards the
throat OF the chimney. He was young
man, not over three .anc twenty, and pos
sessch frame of more than oidnary
symmetry and muscular deyelopmrt.-
He was not larLu--nut above medium
size-but a single glance at the swelling
chest, the broad shoulders, and the sincwy
ridges Of the bare arms, told at once that
he was the master OF great physical power.
Ills father had been killed in the then late
war with the Turks, and the son, leaving
his mother with Il suiticiency Of susten-
auce, went TO Spain soon after the bercavc.
meat. There he found work in the most
noted armories aud uow well versed in
the trade, he had returned to his native
city to follow his calling, and support his
mother.
Near by stood q boy-Paul PeepoIf--a
bright intelligent lad, some fifteen years
of age, who had bound himself to the
gunmaker for the purpose OF learning the
art.
Claudia Newell Rurc's mother, was a
noble looking WON III, aud the light OF her
still handsome countunaucc WAS never
bn5hler than when { z!ng upon her boy.
She had thankful, loving heart, and a
prayeruI, hopeful soul.
It is showing again, faster than ever,
remarked Paul. rs he took his seat at the
suppcr.tabe, IN company with the others.
AE," returned Euric, resting his
knife few moments while he bent his ear
to listen to the voice OF the storm.
had hoped 'twould snow no more for the
present. The snow is deep enough now,
And how it blows -
"Never mind" spoke the dame, in a
trustiul, easy tone, " 1t must storm when
it I,steth, aud We can only thank God that
we have shelter. and pray for those who
have none"
Amen % responded Ruric, fcrvenly.
The meal WAS ut Length eaten, and the
table set back, aud shortly afterwards
Paul retired to his bed.
Rurlc drew lis chair close up to the
FIRE. place, and leaning against the jam he
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
lsurIc 10 tell her what it WAS over which
he was SO constantly and SO moollly
brooding. Being thus urged, Rurlc con.
iessed that it was OF iosaIlnd Valdni (Iht
orphan daughter Of IA nOblcman, and now
the ward OF Olga, the powerful ant
naughty Duke OF TuIa) he was thinking
Rurc's lather. aud the father Of Rosallnd
had been comrades in arms in their youth
and their children had been pIaymates.-
But when the elder Newell was slain i
battle, Rurlc was yeta boy, and the wldo'
and her son remained poor and obscure
while Vnldal, more fortunate, had rise
to high rank, and dying, let ROsallnd
title and fortune.
The young people, however, had nj
forgotten each other. Rurlc loved Ross
lind with ali the Iavor ol his being. and L
felt assured that Ro,aIInd returned h
love. As he aud his mother sat deOatin
the matter on the stormy night, lou
knock upon the outer door startled then
"Is there any one here 90 the gun
maker asked, AS he opened the dool
bJwing his head and shielding his eye
from Ihe driving snow with one hand.
Yes," returned voice from th
Stygian darkness. Ia Gods name le
me IN, or shall perish"
Then follow quickly" said Rurc.-
" IIere-gye me your hand.-Tnere-
now come"
The youth found the ihic&ly glove
hand-gIovrd with the soitest Iur--an
having led The Invisible applicant INTO III
hall he closed the door. aud then led III
way to the kitchen. Without speaking
Rurc turned and gazed upon the new
conner. The stranger, t0ho loaS equaii
DESTROYS Of dScertttatHy chat manner {
nam RUrlc puS, was II mVnk--Nnd habltc
something like one oltae Black monks
ST. Michael. lie WAS ul medium high
aud possessed rolundny oI person whl'
was comical to behold.
At length, after warming himself
the tire, the guest asked /; he could
accommodated with some sleeping piaC
and being answered IN the alhrmauN
Rurc showed him 10 u chamber aud til
retired himself.
The next morning. after breakfast, {
Monk went with Rurlc to his shop, IL
examined with much lnLeres! the varlo
weapons therein. Ruric questioned h
closely as to whether he had ever met h
before, but the Monk replied evasiye
and after saying that in case the gun Il
ker should ever, IN any great emergen'
need aIr'end, thai he mlsht apply 10 hI
he took his leave.
Towards the middle Of the alternoo
just as Rurlc had inlsned temperng Sol
parts ol IA gun'lo lock, the back door OF
shop was opened, and TWO men enter,
They were young men, dressed 10 COS
Gurs, and both Of them stout and 20,
bar, ty..l "A