River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-07-09

1t was ct the dtclivity on the north side
of the mountain, and separated from the
market town by the torrent. There was
another one beside it, which, until now,
l had not observed, with court, veg
etable garden, and an orchard. In the
court were heap o. manure, pools in
which ducks was sporting, shed with a
handleless harrow and other old, worn.
out articles. In the garden child was
amusing himself in making the dew fall
from the hemlock branches. The or.
chard on the slope reached to the wood
on the mountain. The child entered the
cottage, leaving the door open. Lonba,
the wife of the neighbor, came to shut it,
How had she strayed into this wretched
peasant abode, she with her delicate, Ia.
per hands, her slender form, and espec.
tally that indescribable look, half-reso.
lutte, half.thoughtful. And comprehend
that if Stepan loved her it was for this
particular feature, the elegance Of her ex-
trenities, her undulating carriage, that
are not seen among her class. question
ed the scheolmaster. He told me that
Lonba was the natural daughter Of a rich
lord Of the vicinity and of popadiaRka
| daughter of a priest) whom he had Sc
duced, and who died in giving her birth.
Lonba was brought up in the seignioral
use until IL years Of age, at which PEE
| riod her father died without leaving a
| will. The heirs turned her out. For
two years she went from farm to farm,
seeking employment; but she was the
daughter Of SzLdchcidnkd, daughter of
a noble, in person, language and habits !;
she knew not how to work. They beat
her, despised her. At fifteen years of
age peasant from Skole, observing her
beauty, asked her to marry him. She
was dying Of hunger. and accepted him.
1t was reported in the village, she did
not love her husband. Now that the ice
was broken, Stepan, who had become
very confidential, confil med this story.
His tidson with the young wife had con-
tinued year. ''And the husband :" ]
asked.
"0h BatkO, husbands y
What profundity in this exclamation
Everywhere the same. Oh the good
and honest thing-husband
"Besides he is my neighbor and my
friend" After a moments silence he
added:
"Iwould give my life if he were neither
my neighbor nor my friend,'
He told me that since he had kept
watch near my fire, Lonba came onto the
mountain every night to see him.
"Be prudent, Stepan."
at is needless, little father" and he
repeated with peculiar emphasis and con.
fidence, the words: "Fedor is my
neighbor and my friend"
Time pas sed, and lived very happily
in this rugged and inharmonious ceun-
try. but full of contrasts capable Of NOV
i''g one deeply. They are many; some
times long hours under the radiant inn
mobility of the heavens, before one.
around one, everywhere, the contagious
impassability Of the calm horizon, some
times storm, whirlwind pursuing the
black clouds along the mountain sides,
the thunderbolt which plows the sum.
mits, waking dull echoes in the savage
breast. Toward the end of August the
weather changed. For eight days gray
mist like spider-web spread over the
valley, and moderated the air to moist
warmth. The thrushes sang; the sun
sky was overcast, and the rain fell in
torrents. 81 must depart" l said to
Stepan.
swat little, Batko; this will not
last; and you shall kill Dear in the
new MOON" He informed me that for
some time a bear had visited the inclo-
sure of his neighbor in the dusk Of eve
ming to steal the honey there. "We are
going 70 lie in wait for him, and Fedor
has appointed me to invite you to go
with US, if it will be agreeable to YOU"
accepted Immediately, and imme-
diately we set about cleaning my two
barreled shotgun and rifle. Toward 5
o'clock the rain abated, and only from
time to.time few large drops fell. At 7
o'clock the wind had swept the sky, and
the same evening it was bright moonlight.
We went down to Fedor's cottage, who
was expecting us
He was a short, ssuatty man, with fea.
lures corresponding to his figure, with an
insignificant expression. / think | OBJ
served that his orchard extended up the
mountain to where it met the wood. At
the highest point, sheltered by rock,
the hives were ranged in line. Fedor
pointed out to me fruit tree which
which would shelter me, conducted Ste
pan about hundred steps to buck tree
and returned toward me in an oblique di-
rection, little TO the left. When he
had taken his position / noticed that we
were upon the same plane, separated by
the hives only. Stepan occupied the
summit Of the sharp angle whose sides
ended at our station. l witnessed this
with establishment. also observed that
Stepan was in the direction Of the wind,
an extremely perilous position for the
hunter. remarked upon this to Fedor.
lie calmly explained that the bear usually
followed along the edge of the rock; tina.
he would 60 direct to the hives, and il
my shot or his failed, he would very GER
tainly retreat in the direction Of the for.
est, thus presenting himself to Stepsn,
who would cut off his retreat. A half
hour passed, then an hour. | became
too cold to remain thus motionless, and
moved.
"Patience, Bdtko." whispered Fedor.
Soon he leaped to my side. "Look !" he
whispered. l followed his glance. A
bear was moving right toward Stepan.
lie came from the opposite direction to
| that from which | exDected him-from