Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-12-04
MARRIED In A SNOW.STORM.

About the year 1871, memorable in
Russian history, there lived upon the
estate of Nemaradof, a rich landed
proprietor, Gabrilovitch by name, no.
ted for his affability and hospitality.
His house was always open to his
friends. and. neighbofs, who used to
congregate there every evening the
older ones to enjoy game of cards
with the host and his wife Petrow11a,
the younger ones in the hope of win
ming the favor of Marie, beautiful
girl of seventeen, the only daughter and
heiress of Gabrilovitch ~
Marie read French novels, which
naturally rendered her very sentiment
tai and romantic. Under these cir
cumstances love was not to long in
coming. The object of her affections
was Russian cadet, with scarcely a.
penny in his pocket, who resided in
the neighborhood, and Was then at
home on leave of absence. As a mat
ter of course he returned her love with
squal ardor. Marie's parents had
strictly forbidden her thinking of such
a union, and they treated the lover,
wherever they met him, with just as
much friendliness as they would have
shown to an ex-collector OF. taxes. The
amOrous pair meantime carried on a
correspondence, and met clandestinely
beneath the shade of the pine grove, or
behind the old chapel. As will readily
be supposed, they here vowed eternal
fidelity to each other, complained Of
the severity of fate, and devised beau
tiful plans for the future: After some
time they naturally came to think that
should their parents persist in oppos-
ing the union, it might IL the end be
consummated secretly, and without
their consent. The younger gentleman
was the first to propose this, and the
young lady soon saw the expediency of
it. -...e re --s--, ay.- . .,-a
The approach of winter put all end
to these stolen interviews but their let
ters increased in frequency and warmth.
In each of the Vladimir Nicko1ovitch
COM jured his beloved to leave tire par
entail root, and consent to clandestine
marriage. I'VE will disappear for a
short while," he wrote. E'come back,
and cast ourselves at..the feet of our par
ents, who, touchedby such constancy, will
exciaim, come to our arms, dear chill
drenl Marie was long ifresolute; at
length it was agreed, however, that she
should not appear at. supper on a day
appointed, but should retire to her
room under the pretext of indisposi-
ton. Her maid had been let into the
secret. Both were to escape by a. back
door, in front of which they would find
a sleigh ready to convey thema dis
tance of five worsts, to- the chapel of
Jadrino, where Vladimir and the priest
would await them.
Having made her preparations, and
written long apologeticalletter to her
parents, Marie retired betimes TO her
room. She had been complaining all
day of headache, and this was certain
ly no mere pretext; for the nervous
excitement had in truth indisposed her..
Her father and mother nursed her ten
derly, asking her again and again:
&C How do you feel now, Marie Are
you no better 2" This loving solicitude
cut the girl to the heart, and with the
approach of evening her excitement
increased At supper she ate nothing,
but rose betinnes and bade her parents
goodnight The. latter kissed and
blessed her, as was their, won't, While
Marie could scarcely repress her sobs.
Having reached her room, she threw
herself into chair and wept aloud,
Her maid finally succeeded in comfort.
ing and cheering her up. .szi o.. :,
Later in the evening a, snow storm
arose. The wind howled about the
house, causing the windows to rattle.
The inmates had hardly gone to rest,
when the young girl wrapped herself
in her cloths and fllrs, and followed by
the servant with aportmanteau, left the
parental roof. A sleigh drawn by three
horses received them, and away they
went at 9 furious speed.