Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-12-02
MIscELLAMiE.o US.
THE BROKEN CHAIN.
A RUSSIAN STORY.

Idh BRUKEN CHAIN. sa
A RUSSIAN STORY.
A N the month of April there is generally
% 5wintry weather throughout Russia; the
beams OF the sun can scarcely break throus b
the gray clouds which cover the sky; the
snow freezes as it falls, into hard. thick
mass. With dull sound the blocks of ice
dash against each other as they. are carried
down the rivers. which sometimes and in
some places are frozen over in n smooth sur,
face of ice.
Here Is man coming along driving one
horse siedga; he is Russian postilion, with
high leather cap aud huge boots reaching to
his knees. A tur-lined jacket protects him
from the cold. This sledge>driver has lust
turned round the corner OF dark pine forest,
aud has arrived before cottage roughly built
of the trunks of trees. Here he s;ops his
horse and aights. A young woman With an
infant carefully wrapped up 10 her arms
stands at the door and greets the arriving
traveller.
"Good day, good day, Catharine," cries
the postillion. "But what is the matter.
sister why don't you welcome me with your
usual smile e?'
"Alas good brother Peter" she replies
with sigh, misfortune and sorrow have en-
tered our usually SO happy dwelling. You
know that my poor Nicholas is in arrears to
our Lord Of the manor, Count Silowi.x. ip de-
llvering the corn aud hay he owes him Last
year was such bad Que and now to>day, the
Count has sent strict order that before s;x
days have passed the arrears must be paid. or
he will take measures to force us to do So
Alas alas | what shall we do1 We have
scarcely enough bread for ourselves, and win.
ter is not over yet. What will become of US
dear brother, if tho good God does not
graciously come to our aid 2"
Brother Peter had sat down on the edge of
the sledge, staring ,houghtfully straight be-
fore him. Suddenly he passed his hand across
his forehead, jumped up quickly and said
"Yes, yes, that is it, that will do, aud will
certainly be enough" Then turning to his
sister, he said, "Don't trouble yourself good
Catharne. To>morrow will come back and
bring what is necessary to satisfy the Count
Silowitz"
"You are always our deliverer in trouble.
good Peter" said his sister. "But tell me,
how do you mean to do itthis time?"
"fhat is my affair, dear Catharine;," replied
Peter; "and the only thing that ask of you
or your husband is that you ask me no more
questions about it. Imust return home again
now, for We have no time to lose Farewell,
dear sister, and be of good courage"
Quickly, Peters sledge glided along the
frozen snow nothing was heard but the bells
on the horses neck.
Next day the good natured Peter entered
his sisters humble dwelling. Hisbrother,in-
law, Nicholas was also at home now.
=, You know" he began 10 grave voice,
'sthat l will not be questioned as to the way
in which 1 obtained what I hope will satisfy
the Count. Remember tbatw With these
words he, pulled out of lis pouch which be
wore, broken silver chain. handed il to hi.
brother>in-law, and said, "There, good Nj
cholas, take that; I hope it will be enough"
At the end of the chain hung a little gold
shield, on which Greek cross and the letters
A. and S. were engraved
The sister and brotber-in>law's wonder was
so great'that, in spite Of the prohibition, they
were eager to ask some questions about it.
81 could tell you where / got it," said
Peter, "but it would be rather disagreeable
for me to do so. Be content to know that if
give you this half chain, have a perfect
right to do SO. 1t is my own property, and
that's enough"
Nicholas and Catherine did not venture to
press their good>natured brother any further;
but they could not get over their astonish>
ment, which was wonder mixed with certain
degree of fear.
'sListep, Nicholas" continued the good DOS.
tillion; Il have at this moment very impor-
tant dispatches with me which must not be
delayed, and l have to go q whole days
journey with them, otherwise would myself
go aud sell the chain to some Jew in the town
of Astrachan; but you must do it yourself
now, and if the money you receive should not
be enough to satisfy the Count, 1 hope when
l return in q couple of days; to be able to
make up the whole sum-" t
AS if the good brother wished to withdraw
himself from all thanks as we'll as from
further curiosity, he quickly embraced his
sister, gave his brother-in-law a hearty shake
of the hand, hastened into his sledge and
drove away. -
Faithful to his promise, two days after he
stopped again before the log hut, got out, and
entered the room. This time his sister did
not come to meet him, which struck him as
very strange. She sat still, weeping bitterly.
while two neighbors standing before her were
trying to comfort her. Poor Catherine, how
ever, was so sunk in grief that she did not at
first notice her brothers. entrance. What
Peter now learnt astonished him. His brother
Nicholas had gone into the town and tried to
sell the piece of silver chain to q German
Jew. This man who could not understand
how SO precious treasure had fallen into the
, hands of DOOR peasant susnecfed at onca