American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-10-11

| UP W justice.
Hhen the position had heard this sad
news he raised his eyes to heaven and ex-
claimed, IN firm, confident tone, God
is on our side! Away, then, to the castle
of Silowitzir
Without delay he started thithcr. Night
came on. The north wind ragged, whirled
up tho snow, ard howled through the pine
forest. For few moments the moon
shone through the dark clouds, and with
its pale light illumined the vast snowy
plain. The town of Astrachan through
which Peter must pass TO reach the castle
of Silowitz, is situated on an island form
ed by the river Volga. Here he was
obliged TO rest himself and ,efresh his
tired horse, though haste was so important,
but afterward he went forward all the
quicker. The second day had already al
most closed in when he reached the
counts castle, and begged to be led at
once before the count, as he had an i'm
portant message to deliver to him. This
was done.
| Peter found the stern nobleman in
large hall on the ground floor, sitting in
an old-fashioned chair of state, while be-
| fore him, trembling and shivering, stood
the poor unhappy Nicholas, who did not
| know how he should answer the questions
| about TO be put to him Close TO the
count, Peter saw two men, who held in
| their hands that terrible Russian instru-
ment Of punishment, the knout.
| Nicholas had not the slightest doubt of
his brother-inlaw's honesty and truth,
and was sure that he had by fair means
become possessed of the silver chain; new
ertheless, he feared that he might get him
into some trouble or cause him some I'M
pleasantness if he told the count that
| Peter had given him the treasure to rescue
him from his distress, so he persisted in
| maintaining strict silence.
| lou shall have a hundred strokes of
| the knout if you don't answer me imme-
diately," exclaimed the young count, in
| an angry voice, to the unfortunate man.
Whence comes this chain? Who gave
it you?"
Il did, my lord,' said the position,
calmly, as making a deep obeisance he
stood before the count. Then he drew
himself up quietly and gazed at the angry
man.
You gave it him, did your" stormed
the count. You wish, l suppose, to share
the knout with your componion in crime?
Your desire shall be gratified."
Pardon me. my lord" replied Peter;
there is no companion in crime here, for
none has been committed. We both. my
brother-i law and l. are dutiful serfs of
the noble count of Silowitz. and"
Now, them" interrupted the young
count, angrily, ''as you can speak SO fluent
ly, you will tell me howyou came into the
"Ges, that | can do, my lord" answered
Peter most composedly; but only when
you command me To do 500
speak, then, and make your story as
short as possible" ordered the count.
And Peter began to relate: 1t is now
nearly ten years ago, when the noble and
famous Count Alexander of Siiowitz your
gracious father, was sailing in small ship
down the river Voiga; it was Just this
season OF the year. On both sides of the
river masses of ice We're floating down;
but the centre was free from them. The
boat was to stop at spot were those
blocks of ice had collected together, and
seemed to be firm enough for a landing.
Your gracious father put his foot upon the
Ice-block al d advanced a few steps. The
gayly decked vessel had attracted many
spectators to the shore, who wished to see
the venturesome landing. Suddenly cry
of terror arose. With dull, heavy sound,
the ice had cracked quickly, and the count
had vanished n the waters. l. too stood
among the crowd l threw off my Jacket,
Jumped upon the ice-blocks and then in
to the waves, in whose depths your lord
ships father had been swallowed up.
Those who stood on the shore feared that
we were both lost, when, by Gods mercy,
l came up again at the edge of the ice,
dragging the count, whom l had seized
by his coat, with me into the light again
from the dark waters. He was not con-
scious when brought to the shore, but he
soon recovered. When 1 seized him I'M
der the water, got in my hand a silver
chain which hung round his neck, and
which, although it was broken, 1 also
brought to land. When your father became
conscious again, he held out his hand very
kindly to me-
"As do now," said the young Count
deeply affected, and feeling, too,
the wrong he had done; "for your name
is Zuski, is it not.''
YES, gracious sir, Peter Zuski is my
NAME" said the brave position
Quite right, quite right, my good
Iectly remember your brave and noble
deed. My father has often told me of it
with gratitude, and added, that as a re-
nembrance of his rescue, he gave you his
chain, as well as written document to
prove what you had done"
Yes, gracious sir,' said Peter, "here is
he document" and he drew a piece of
parchment from his pocket and handed it
o the count.
"But whv," the count ask ed, "did YOU
lot tell your brOther-in-law Nicholas,
lere, in what way this chain became your
bravely won property"
Because, gracious sir" was the an
wer, my sister and brother-in-law did
lot known word about the whole story,
md never meant to tell it them. In my
opinion, a good deed or brave action loses
Is value if we boast of it to others. This
hahn, the other half of which is at home
1t nay house, would have also remained
n its secure corner had not my relatives
)ean in great distress and want. To help
hem out of it i thought"
Enough, my good, brave Peter Zuski,"
aid the count, now ashamed ofhis harsh
less; your sister and brOther-in-law
lenceforlh will have nothing to fear from
ne. But you must accept some we'll
meant advice from me- One should not
indeed boast when one has been enabled
o do Il noble action, but 10 conceal it so
arefully as You have done sometimes pre-
ents il from bearing its good fruits.
This you have seen to day, for your silence
night have been the cause of a praise
worthy deed leading to evil consequences.
Remember that good actions ought not
lways 10 be concealed, tor such examples
re worthy of imitation, and often incite
theirs to try to initiate them. "-Children's
Tour.
Clearing tOuse System.
SPECIAL attention has been called to the