Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-08-07
Miseellauu.
The GOldSmith'S Apprentice.

TALE OF ST. PETERSBURG IN 1896
st. Petersburg was in CONSERVATION for
the Gar had that morning degraded his
tavorite Cabinet Minister, and sentenced
him to exile in the mines of Siberia. Count
s. had been the Emperor's most honest
adviser and, with the exception of few
persons who detested him for his sincerity
and his imperviousness to q bribe, was uni
versally beloved by the people. His fall
therefore came on them like a thunderbolt; /;
the more so, as no assignable cause for his
degradation could be hazarded.
Even TIE Cunt mself was astounded.
Accustomed as he had been to the way
ward caprice of despotic ruler, and
knowing that in the eyes of such, even the
honestest action may be construed into
reasonable design, he still felt the con-
sciousness that he had ever served his
country faithfully and to the best of his
ability, and therefore felt that his degra-
dation was as unjust as his sentence was
cruel. But 1t was not so much for himself
that he grieved. He had been widower
many years, and of all his children none
were left to him save one daughter, Katin-
ka, the flower of his old age. 1t was for
her he felt heart-broken. She was the
cause that his tears flowed fast down his
furrowed checks, and that his silvered head
was bowed down to the ground.
= If | were quite alone in the world, it
would matter little; there are not so many
years in store for me, he muttered to him
sell
. But dear father" said soft voice in
his ear ''you are not alone, and will not
be alone. See there is even bright spot
among the dark clouds overhead " and
with these words, his daughter placed in
his hand royal mandate which empowered
the exile to take with him his daughter
and servant into banishment
My child what have you done7 you
sacrifice your young days among those
bleak and barren steppes No-no, it can
not be"
But We will draw veil over the out
pOurings of the fathers and daughters
hearts. Suffice it only to say, that Katin-
ka by her tears and entreaties at last wrung
d reluctant consent from her father that
she should accompany him into exile.
But whom shall we take with us?" she
asked presently-in a cheerful and confident
voice.
lou may well ask, whom - he ans
wered dly-' you will not find one among
all my dependents who would follow in my
service. No-no," he added, with tinge
OF sarcasm, $ they will prefer to quaf the
tokay Of my rival successor. to drinking
the icy cold water of Jenisei''
With a confident step katinka sped away
on her errand, feeling sure that some one
at lest among the numerous dependents of
the family, who owed fortune, fame and
maybe life to her father, would now be
willing to show his gratitude by accom-
panying him in his dreary exile
In a humble cottage on the outskirts of
the city an old man was kneeling before an
image of his patron saint But his devo-
tions were disturbed by a loud knock at
the door, which he arose from his bended
knees to open. 1t was his only chid-his
son FeodOre.
. l. it then true, my father, that our
beloved master is sentenced to banishment; );
and that he Is to set out tomorrow ?" the
young man inquired.
Alas my son-it is too true -
And will the city, the nobility, the
townspeople, look on in silence, while the
henefactor of their country is cast out from
home and hearth ," inquired the youth
impetuously. - And what is to become of
his daughter ," he resumed, not waiting
for any answer, and who is to accompany
him into banishment ?"
Just then the door Of the cottage open
ed and Katinka herself stood before
them.
:. Good Methodist" she began address,
ing the old man, are none of my fathers
servants here ?"
None, noble lady :"
Alas then are we forsaken indeed
But to think that none of those who used
to kneel down before him, and call him their
saviour, can be found ready and willing to
offer him this last service"
What" interrupted the old man.
do you mean, noble lady, to say, that
they could follow him but will not -
Even So" was the sad reply.
Then will [ :" and he knelt down be-
fore the young girl, and respectfully kissed
her hand. g Then will [, old as L be, with
the help of my patron saint, St. Stephen,
share evil and good with him. For twenty
years have [ lived under him in this cot
tage Here | married, and hence | car
ried out my wife when struck down by
fever Yes. [ will follow him ="
Nay, good friend,'' replied Katinka,
III tone of gratitude "you are too old
too infrm to undertake such a toilsome
Journey. | did not refer to you. No !.
your age and failing strength would prove
a burden rather than comfort to my
father"
True lady, forgot that" interrupt
ed the old man but L will 90 out my
self and speak with the ungrateful kinds. -
1t seems derogatory to my fathers
honor to have to ask twice." answered the
lady proudly. Maybe, | yet may be
able to find one, sufficiently miserable to
consider it no farther addition to his mis-
cry to follow my father, though it be into
exile
Yes-surely you will find one," now
cried Feodore, emerging from the corner of
the room where he had been standing, un-
perceived by Katinka. Il will 60! you
do not remember me, but he,' pointing to
his father, 'will be my guarantee that L
speak truly and from my heart"
q. [ not know you, Feodore T" exclaimed
Katinka think you can so readily for
get him who saved my life from drowning
when but child? And you will accom-
pany us ?"
Yes, lady, that will he" said Feedores
father answering for him. He will dis
charge his new duties as faithfully as he
has his old ones
Then may God and all his saints bless
YOU both. :" exclaimed Katinka, as the
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