Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-03-10
THE
GUnPn kcr Of Moscow.
A Tale Of the Empire under Peter the Great
CHAPTER /.

CHAPTER l.
The time at which we open our story
Is mld-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 hum
bic cot, which betrayed a-neatness of
arrangement and show of taste that
more than made up for its smallncss of
size. Back of the cot was an artisan >
shop, and other out-buildings. 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 Newell. We
find him standing by his forge, watch
ing the white smoke as it curled up
towards the throat of the chimney
lie was young man, not over three
and-twenty, and possessed frame of
more than ordinary symmetry and
muscular development. He was not
large-not above a medium size-but
a 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 Turks, and
the son, leaving his mother with a
suificiency 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 Peepoil
"a bright, intelligent lad, some fifteen
years of age, who had bound himself
to the gunmaker for the purpose OF
learning TIE art.
Claudia Newell, Ruric's mother, was
a noble looking woman, and the light
of her still handsome countenance was
never brighter than when gazing upon
her boy. She had thankful, loving
heart, and prayerful, hopeful soul.
''lt is showing again, faster than
ever" remarked Paul, as he took his
seat at the supper-table, in company
with the others.
"Ah," returned Ruric, resting his
knife few moments while he bent
his ear to listen to the voice of the
storm. Il had hoped 'twould snow
no more for the present. The snow is
deep enough now. And how il
blowS1
"Never mind" spoke the dame, in
a trustful. easy tone, ''it must storm
when it listeth, and we can only thank
God that we have shelter, and pray
for those who have none"
"Amen!" responded Ruric, fcrvently
The meal was at length eaten, and
the table set back, and shortly after
wards Paul retired to his bed.
Ruric drew his chair close up to the
fire e-place, and leaning against the jan
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 Ruric tC
tell her what it was over which he wa.
SO constantly and SO moodily brooding
Being thus urged, Ruric confessed tina
it was of Rosalind Valdai (thc orphan
daughter OF nobleman. and now tn,
ward of Olga, the powerful anC
naughty Duke of Tula) he was think
ing. Ruric's father, and the father o
Rosalind, had been comrades in arin,
in their youth, and their children haC
been playmatcs. But when .hc eide
Newell was slain in battle, Ruric wa
. yet boy, and the widow and her sol
, remained poor and obscure; whil
Valdai, more fortunate. had risen to
high rank, and dying, left Rosalind
title and fortune.
The young people, however, had no
forgotten each other. Ruric love,
Rosalind with all the fervor of hi
being. and he felt assured that Rosa
!. lind returned his love. AS he aud hi
mother sat debating the matter on tina
! stormy night, loud knock upon tn
outer door startled them.
. ''ls there any one here?" the gun
! maker asked, as he opened the door
: bowlng his head and shielding his eye
from the driving snow with one hand
"Yes," returned voice from tn
, Stygian darkness. "In Gods nam
: let me in, or shall perish"
:, "Ihen follow quickly" said Ruric
q "Here-give me your hand.-Ther
how come."
! The youth found the thickly-glove
: hand-gloved with the softest fur
:, and having led the invisible applican
!. into the hall he closed the door, an
= then led the way to the Kitchen
!, Without speaking, Ruric turned an
: gazed upon the newcomer. Th
!, stranger, scho acos equally desirous {
7 ascertain;ng ,chat manner of ma
Rurtc ,cds, was a monk-and habite
something like one of the Black monk
of st Michael. He was OF mediur
hight, and possessed rotundity ,
\ person which was comical TO beholC
! At length, after warming himse
!, by the fire, the guest asked if he coul
be accommodated with some sleeping
: : place, and being answered in I'll
g affirmative, Ruric showed him TO
!, chamber and then retired himself
The next morning. after breakfas
the Monk went with Ruric to his shol
: and examined with much interest IL
: various weapons therein. Ruric que
I, : toned him closely as to whether |
:. = had ever met him before, but the Mon
I, replied evasively, and after saying thi
:, :, in case the gunmaker should ever.