The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-04-16


he did me that day. If it hadn't been for
him, should have lost good handful of
money, and mayhap my life into the bar
gain p
"Ah how did that happen?" asked l.
"This is just the time for a good story;
suppose you tell me all about it before
turn in."
Nothing 10th, my host knocks the sides
out of his pipe, charges it, and clearing
his throat vigorously, begins as follows:
" You must know, then, BARN, that had
a cousin, Vasilli Masloff by name, who in
stead of sticking to the village, as l did,
was all for getting away to one of the great
towns, thinking to push his way there, and
pick up money as you would gather mush-
rooms in the wood. And sure enough one
day he went off to Moscow; and, after
time, got word that he managed to find
work in one of the big German shops ON
the Konznetski Most, Che was a famous
hand at wood-carving and such like,) and
that he was getting on pretty well; for as
our proverb says, "IIeaven helps the hope
full man. and Vasilli was always one to
stand on his own feet. And after that /
had no news of him for long time, and
was beginning to forget all about him,
when all of sudden, there comes to me
one day big package of bank notes, and a
letter with them, saying that Vasilli was
dead, (may he gain the kingdom of HeavenD
and had left me all the money he had saved
some two thousand roubles or so, about
e2O0,) which was great windfall to poor
fellow like me"
"You should just have seen him that day,
Barin, chimes in, laughing, the lady of
the house, who has just finished her prepar-
ations for my further accommodation.
"When he opened the packet, and saw the
notes. he stared about him like a dog that's
lost his master; and all the rest of the day
he went about as if he didn't know where
he was"
"Well you needn't laugh at me, Vasil-
issa, /" retorts her husband, with a broad
grin; "you kept on counting the notes
yourself for ain hour or more, and never
counted em right after all ~ And the two
laugh in lusty chorous. "You may be sure
Barin," he continues turning to me, that
wasn't long in inviting my friends to come
and rejoice with me over the good luck that
God had sent; and by seven in the evening
| had all ready for 'em--the tea urn boiling,
the black bread and bacon laid out, dish
of salted cucumbers, and a hali-gallon of
vodka (corn-brandy) into the bargain.
Just as I'd finished laying out the table,
(my wife had gone out to buy some sausage)
there come knock at the door. Thinks |:
There are my guests come already and
went to let 'em in. But when opened the
door, (heaven preserve us y what should !
see but three men in black masks, and the
foremost of 'em with pistol in his hand
this very same pistol that's lying on the ta-
BILE now"
soho that pistols trophy taken from
the enemy, then" remarked l. "This be-
gins to get interesting. Go on, pray"
"I'm not going to say wasn't frighten,
|
ened, and very badly frightened, too, | can
tell you. But before could say word
the foremost blackguard claps his hand on
my shoulder and says to me, in voice that
sounded as if it came down from a chimney
Hand over that money you got this morn
ing; quick, or l will send you where yor
won't come back again. and heard th'
pistol click as he cooked it. Well, as yol
know, When needs must there's no tim
for brewing beer so went to the big ches
yonder, and out with the bank notes; bu
in handing them out managed to tucl
two or three of them into my sleeve. Th
rogue counted them twice over, and shool
his head.
"This won't do,'' says he, catching m
by the collar, We know exactly how muc
you got this morning, and we mean to hav
it all; so, out with what you've hidden, o
it'l be the worse for you"
"Then all at once thought came int
my head just as if somebody had whisper
ed 1t to me; and l shook the bank note
out of my sleeve on to the floor, so tha
they all flew this way and that way. Th
rogue, fearing, no doubt, that some of ther
might get lost, pounced upon them to pic
'em mp, putting down his pistol, just as
; though he would. But the minute j
loosed hold Of it / snatched it up and she
. him dead on the spot"
: My driver gives hoarse, chulling laug
Of intense enjoyment; while the sta
: osta paused for moment, in order
heighten the effect of his last sentenc