The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-12-30
THE DAILY BULLETIN.
TnE GuNMAKER OF Moscow
TALE or
TUEEMPiRE UNDER PEER The GREAT.
CHAPTER |.
THE GuNuAKER AND THE MONK

lniu- Wlnlcr, anu toWalus wv N''9N wa "
seventeenth century. Russia had pass'
through the long and bitter ordeal OF n
tional Night. The Tartar yoke had be,
worn till the very bones Of the nation we
CALLED; and when tins was thrown oil CT
ii discussions and instructions commence
The Poles and Swedcs pundercd the coul
try, and amid general tumult and coniuslo
some half dozen men were clamorng Il
the throne. At length few patriotic cit
zens, pledging everything they held dear 0
earth to the cause OF freedom from TN
curse of anarchy, and headed by nobl
prince and an humble, patriotic butcher
made bold stand to save the country
Moscow was re,aken, and Michael Roman
off was chosen Gar; and this illustrou
family still occupies the imperial throne
And now the day of Russian greatness
dawncd but the sun was not fairly up
the broad light opened not upon the empire
until Peter came to the throne.
In the department of the Sloboda-the
suburbs of Moscow very near the river
Moskwa, stood an humble cot, the exterior
Of which betrayed neatness Of arrange
ment and show Of taste that more than
made up for its smallness Of size. Nor
was it so very small in fact, but only in
contrast; for near at hand about it stood
many large shabby, dirty-ooking struct-
ures that overlooked the prim cot, as bleak
mountains may look down upon verdant
HILL And within, this cot was as neat as
without The two apartments in 'front.' one
4 of which was only used in winter, were fur
nishcd not only with neatness, but with a
fair show Of ornament and luxury. Back
4 Of these were large cooking and dining
rom, and two small bedrooms; and back
still from these was an artisans shop, and
other out-buildings This shop was dc
voted 10 the manufactuturc of firearms
mostly. Some swords, and other edged
weapons, were made here upon special ap-
pication.
The gunmaker now stood by his forge,
watching the white smoke as it curled up
4 towards the throat Of the chimney. lie
was a young man, not over three-and-twen.
ty,and possessed d frame of more than ordi-
nary symmetry and musculer development
4 lie was not large--not above medium size
but single glance at the swelling chest,
the broad shoulders, and the sinewy ridges
/ Of the bare arms, told at once that he was
master Of great physical power. His tea,
lures were regular, yet strongly marked
and cminently handsome; his brow, which
was full and high, was covered by the light
/ blONn curs that waved over it: while his
4 eyes, which were of bright, brilliant, deer
gray in color, lent q cast Of genius to the in
folI sc l,o Iip II 81
Newell. His father had been killed in tho
then late war with the Turks, and the son
leaving his mother with a sutiicency o.
sustenance, went to Spain soon after the be
reayement, There he found work in the
most noted amories; and now, well verse;
in the trade, he had returned to his native
city 10 follow his calling, and support In:
mother
Near by stood a boy Paul peepon-G
bright, intelligent lad, some fifteen years o
ave, who had bound himself to the gun
maker for the purpose Of learning the art
His hair and his eyes were darker than hi,
masters, and if he possessed not much
sound intellect, he did surely possessan un'
wonted degree of keen, quick Wit, and q
principle Of answering integrity.
The sun had been some time below the
horizon, and the only light of any conse,
quence that made things partially visible
within the shop came from the dull blaze OF
the Goals on the forge as Paul ever and
anon bore down upon the brake that moved
The bellows. Suddenly Ruric started back
from the forge as his mind broke from the
deep reverie into which he had fallen, and
having babe. his boy TO see that matters were
all properly disposed for the night, he turn
ed towards the door, and was soon in tn,
kitchen, where his mother had supper al
prepared and set out
Claudia Newell was noble looking wo
man, and the light Of her still handsome
countenance was never brighter than whel
gazing upon her boy. She had seen the
SHOWS of fifty winters, and if they had lei'
some silver upon her head, and some age
marks upon her face, the sunshine of a,
iul, loving heart, and prayerful, hopeful
soul.
1T is showing again, faster than ever,
remarked Paul, as he took his seat at til,
table.
"Ah, returned Ruric resting his knife {
few moments while lie bent his ear 10 listcl
10 the voice of the storm, ~ had hopeS
'twoud snow no more for the present Til,
snow is deep enough now, And how j
blows u
"Never mind spoke the dame, in
trusttul easy tone, III must storm when j
listeth, and we can only thank God that W,
have shelter, and pray for those that have
none'
Amen" responded Ruric fervcntly,
After this the trio remained some min.
utes silent, seeming TO be busy in listening
70 the storm-notes that came pealing about
the cot. The wind was high, and the snow
now came dashing upon the windows with
dreary, melancholy sound. The meal was
at length eaten, and the table set back, and
shortly afterwards Paul retired to his bed
1t was his wont to retire early, for he rose
bctimes to build the fires and prepare iol
the labors Of the day
Ruric drew his chair close up to the fire
place, and leaning against the Jam he how
cd his head and pondered again. This had
become habit with him of late. Some