The daily gazette., 1878-10-24
THE HLUsTRIOUs CHEST
BY II. Il. X.

cow, he entered a stiall village. and
pretending to be overcome bv fatirue.
implored relief from several of the In.
habitants. His dress was ragged, his an
pearance mean, and what ought to have
excited the compassion of the villagers
and insured his reception was productive
of refusal. Full of indignation at such
inhuman treatment, he was Just going TO
leave the place, when he perceived an
other habitation to which he had not
yet applied for assistance. 1t was the
poorest cottage in the village. The EN-
peror fastened to it, and knocking at the |
door, peasant opened it, and asked him |
what he wanted. 81 am almost dying |
with fatigue and hunger" answered the |
Car "can you give me a lodging for one
night ?' "Alas" said the peasant, TAX
ing him by the hand, ''you will have but
poor fare here; you have come at an un
lucky time my wife is in labor, her
cries will not let you sleep; but come in.
come in, you will, at least, be sheltered
from the cold, and such as we have YOU
shall be welcome to-"
The peasant then made the Car enter
little room, full of children in era
die were two infants sleeping soundly,
girl OF three years was sleeping on a rug
| near the cradle, while her two sisters, the
one five years old and the other seven.
were on their knees, crying, and praying
TO God for their mother, who was in a
room adjoining, and whose piteous plants
and groans were distinctly heard "Stay
here" said the peasant to the Emperor,
81 will go and fetch something for your
supper"
| lie went out and soon returned with
some black bread, eggs and honey. "You
see all l can give YOU" said the peasant,
''paltake of it with my children; | must
go an assist my wife,
"Your charity, your hospitality" said
the Gar, "must bring down blessings
on your house, am sure God will reward
your goodness"
'Pray to God, my good friend" replied
the peasant, "pray to God Almighty that
she may have safe delivery, that is all |
wish for"
"And is that all you wish to make you
happy"
"nappy judge for YOURSELF have
five fine children, a dear wife tnat loves
me, a father aud mo, her both in good
health, and my labor is sufficient to mail n
tain them ALL"
"Do your father and mother live with
you"
"Certainly; they are in the next room
with my Wife"
"But your cottage here Is so very
smallw
at is large enough; it can hold us
all"
The good peasant then went to his
wife, who an hour after was happily de
livered, her husband, in transport OF
: Joy, brought the child to the Gar, 'look >
said he, "loOk, This is the sixth she has
brought me What fine, nearly child
, he Is! My God preserve him as he has
D done my others"
The Czar, sensibly affected at this
scene, took the infant IN his arms: 81
know" said he, "from the physiognomy
of this child, that he Will be quIIe for
tunate; he will arrive, | am certain, a
, great preferment." The peasant smlleC
the eldest girls came to kiss their new
born brother, aud their grandmothe
came also to take HIM back; the littl
= ones followtd her, aud the peasant lay I'M
himself down upon his bed of straw, in
vited the stranger to do the same.
In a moment, the peasant was in
, sound and peaceful sleep, but Tue Car
sitting up, looked around, and contein
I plated every thing with an eye of tender
-
1 and their sleeping father. An undistur
ed silence reigned in the cottage. "Wha
a happy calm? What delightful tran
quilhty 2" SAID the Emperor; "avaric
I and ambition, suspicion and remorse
never enter here. How sweet is til
n sleep of innocence % In such reflection
and on such bed did the mighty Empel
l or of all the Russias spend the night
The peasant awoke at break of day
fnlxinn lenua pf him
al must return to Moscow, my friend:
am acquainted there with very bent
violent man, to whom | shall take care I
mention your kind treatment of me.
can pre- vail upon him 10 stand godfatht
to your child. Promise me, therefore
thai you Will wait for me, that | may Il
present at the christening; l will be bac
in three hours at farthest." The peasai
I did not think much of this might
| promise, but, in the good nature of h
! heart, he consented, however, to I'll
t strangers request.
The Gar Immediately took his leave
the three hours were soon goue, and N
body appeared the peasant, therefor
followed by his family was preparing
carry his child to church, but as he WI
leaving his cottage, he heard on SUI
den the trampling Of horses and the ra
Sc Ting of many coaches; he looked ou
and presently saw iuuiuliuue VI NUS"
and "a train ofsplendid carriages;he kne
the Imperial guards, and Instantly calie
his family to see the Emperor go by
they all ran out in a hurry, and stot
q before their door the horsemen and ca
o. riaees soon formed a circular line, al
at iast the state coach of Il o Gar sto
ned opposite the good peasants doc
@ the guards kept back The crowd, whi'
the hope of seeing their Sovereign Ii;
ls) collected tog, ther. The coach door W
g opened, the Czar alighted, and advaI
ing to the host, thus addressed him.
promised you godfather; am come
yS fulfil nv promise; give me your CHI
m and follow me 10 church"
est The peasant stood like a statue; II,
looking at the Emperor with the mingl
emotions of astonishment and joy; M
observing his magnificent robes, and
costly Jewels with which were adorn
y and now turning to u crowd OF mob
that surrounded him. In tins profusl
of pomp he could not discover the pc
stranger, who had lain all night W
. him upon straw. The Emperor for sol
moments, silently enjoyed his perpleXl
:. and then addressed him thus: " fest
Ei day you performed the duties OF huma
~: to-day 1 am come to discharge
:, - - al a Int of a Sovereign, III