The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-04-21
The Mother Of Peter fhe Great.

Natalie Narischkiu, the mother o
Peter the Great, was lovely, highly
gifted woman, though of humble origin
Alexis, her h ashland, was prince of un
usual energy aud intelligence. He en-
couraged agriculture, established silk
and linen manufactures, recognized
the army, compiled law code, which i.
in use the present day, and did all which
lay in his power to improve both the
moral and social condition of his people
When he became widower, he resolved
to marry second time to please him
self.
With this object in view he went
through the country in various DISCUSSES,
seeking to penetrate into the inner circle
OF homes blessed with daughters. Some
times he would go dressed as an apothe-
cary in search OF healing plants, some
times as merchant or a travelling pro-
lessor.
In this way he became more
thoroughly acquainted, too, with his
country and its inhabitants, with their
desires and cares, duties and trials,
than would have been possible other
wise.
AS he was one day walking through
the suburbs of Moscow, he met one
Matwerf, with whom he had often talked
concerning the ignorance of the Russian
poor, and the best way of remedying it.
Matwerf invited the Gar to sup with
him and introduced him as merchant
from Kasan. The busy, bustling house
wife received her guests with true Rus
sian hospitality, but the Cars glance
passed over her round, short figure, to
rest upon that of q tall, slender girl who
stood behind her. 1t was Natalie, a
poor orphan whom the Matwerf had
taken to their home through pity.
She wore the simple national costume
OF the olden times. Upon her soft hair
was black velvet cap; around her neck
hung triple row of pearls, from which
was suspended an image of the holy
Saint Nicholas. The remainder of her
outfit consisted of short overskirt,
bright-colored under-skirt, with blue
stockings and low shoes.
Supper was served by the ladies, and
though the kind hostess urged Alexis to
DO honor to her honey-cakes and mead,
he ate but little, SO absorbed was he in
listening 10 the praise whic1s she gave to
her adopted child.
"She reads and writes well enough to
be the first secretary Of the Gar, (the
holy st. Nicholas protect him J and yet
no girl far or near, can spin better or
faster than she. From early till late she
helps me, and then in the evening she
reads to Matwerf, because the lamplight
pains his eyes. She is, indeed, the bless
ing of our old age"
The Cars eyes rested with pleasure
on the blushing face of the lovely maiden,
and with reluctance he took his leave,
only to repeat the visit soon and often.
Finally he declared his love, and won
her promise to be his bride.
And now an imperial proclamation
was issued, ordering all the fair young
girls in the empire to assemble in the
Kremli4 ON certain day, that, accord.
ing to an ancient custom, the Gar might
make his choice of wife from among
the daughters of the land.
Very unwillingly did Natalie prepare
to obey the imperial summons. Her
heart throbed at the possibility of being
the chosen one, and the dread of being
unfaithful to her plighted lover.
Tremblingly she followed Matwerf
into the salon, where several hundred
other maidens awaited the coming of the
Gar.
The strange position, the unaccus-
toned splendor, the noise Of the multi
tude, confused her so much that she
was not able to lift her eyes from the
floor.
A clang of trumpets announced the
Cars approach. The doors were
thrown open, and Alexis, in gold-em-
broidered dress, a diadem on his head
and jeweled scimetar by his side,
entered. Laughing and chatting, ne
passed from one group to another OF
blooming girls.
When he came towards Natalie, she
raised her timid eyes, her glance met
that of the Gar, whom she recognized
as the merchant from Kasan, and she fell
unconscious to the floor.
When she next opened her eyes, it was
to find herself in the arms of Alexis, and
to hear her name called as that of his
beloved bride.
Crowds of servants now brought fruits
from Damascus, figs and conftures from
Turkey, cordials from Italy, and rich
gifts to distribute among the disap
pointed girls: but to Natalie Narischkir
was given the wedding robe.
The Emperor Of all the Russias never
regretted having taken to his heart and
home the poor orphan girl. With hel
tender devotion and bright intelligence
she soothed and cheered the hours b,
spent away from the affairs ofstate; sh'
sympathized with him and aided him il
all his efforts to elevate the tone of hi
people, and in every possible way sh'
strove to implant in the hearts of tn
womou of har voo ln tho co mo vivf,so a N.