The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-12-27
THE GUNMAKER OF MOSCOW
TALE Op
TBg EMPIRE UNDER PETER THE GREAT,
CHAPTER /.
Tag GUyxAgEa AND THE MONK.

TIE GCyNIREa AND The MONK.
The time at W nich we open our story Is
,,idvinfcr. and towards the ciose Of the
seventeenth century. Russia bad passed
rarouph the long and bitter ordenl OF ma
fionai Night. Tbe Tartar yoke had been
worn till the very bones OF the nation were .;
CALLED; and when this was thrown on clv,i
dissersions and instructions commenced.
TIRE Poles and Swedes plundered the COON
fry. and amid genersf tumuitand CONFUSION
come half dozen men were clamoriog iof
the throne. Atlengtb q few patriotic clti-
zens, pledging everything they be,d Gear
ON earti, to the cause OF freedom from TINS
course OF anarchy, and headed by noble
nrInce and an humble, patriotic butcher,
made bold stand to save the Country:
Moscow was retaken, and Michael RoInanon
wac chosen Gar; ard this illustrious lam
inv s,ilI occupies the imperial throne. Ana
now the day OF Russian greatness daWnea;
bnt the gun wss not fairly np-the broau
light opened not upon the empire-untli
Peter came to the throne.
In the Department OF the Sioboda-the
suburbs OF Moscow-and very near Tue
river Moskwa stood an humble cot, the ex-
te,ior OF which betrayed neatness OF ar
ranpemept and show Of taste that more
than made up for its smallness OF size. Nor
was IL so very small in fact, but only IN con-
frast: for near at hand about it stood many
large, shabby, dirty-lookin2 structures that
overlooked the prim cot as bleak mountains
may look down upon VeTdant OH. Anu
within this cot was as neat as without: Inc
two apartments In front, one OF Wptcn was
only used In winter, were furnlshed noe
only with neatness, but with iair sho" VI
armament and luxury. Back OF these were
md MIR o.
small bedrooms, and back still from these
was an artisans shop and other outbulid-
inns. This shop was devoted TO the manu-
facture OF firearms mostly. Some SWORDS
and other edged weapons were made mere
upon special application.
The gupmaker now stood by MS Jorge
watching the while smoke as 1t curied up
towards the throat OF the chimney. tic was
a Young man, not over three-and.tWenty,
and pcssessed O Il anne OF more than ordi-
uurv symmetry and muscular Development.
He was not iarge-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 iea-
lures were regular, yet strongly marked,
and eminenty handsome; his brow, when
was full aud high, was half covered by Inc
Iighl brown curls that waved over lt, Whlle
his eyes, which were OF bright, brilliant,
deep gray in color, lent cast OF genius 70
tie intellect OF the brow. His name was
Ruric Newell. His father had been Killed IN
the then late war with the TURKS, ana the
son, leaving bis mother with sulnclencv
OF sus,enancp, went TO Spain soon after the
bereavement. There he found work in Tue
most noted armorles and now, we'll versed
in the trade, he had returned to his native
CITY 10 follow bis calling and support his
mother. ....-
Near by stood boy-Paul Peepon-a
bright, intelligent lad. some fifteen years OF
are, who had bound himself to the gunma-
ker for tie purpose OF learning the art. His
hair and his ewes were darker than his mas
ter's, and If he possessed not so much SOUND
intellect, he did surely possess anunWonted
degree OF keen, quick wit, and principle
OF answering integrity.
The sun had been some time below the
horizon, and the only light Of any conse-
quence TINT made things partially visible
within the shop came from the dull blaze OF
the coals on the forge, as Paul ever and anon
bore down upon the brake that moved the
bellows. Suddenly Ruric sturted back from
the forge rs his mind broke from the deep
reycric into which he had fallen, and hav-
ing babe his boy to sec that matters were all
properly disposed for the night, he turned
towards the door and was soon IN the
kitchen, where his mother had supper all
prepared and set out.
Claudia Neyel was noble-looking wo'
man, and the light Of her still handsome
countcnance was never brighter than when
gazing upon her boy. She Ind seen the
SHOWS of fifty winters, and il they had ief'
hor
marks upon her face, the sunshine OF as
many summers had left her with thankful
loving heart, and prayeriul, hopeful soul
alt Is showing again, faster than ever,''
rcmal kcd Paul, as he took his seat ut the
table. ......
"Ah," returned Ruric, resting lis knife
few minutes while he bent bis ear to lister
10 the voice OF the storm. 81 had hoped
'twould snow no more for the present. The
snow Is deep enough now. And how II
bIowsl"
"Neyer mind" spoke the dame, in 9
trt,stiuI, easy tone, 1T must storm when il
iisteth, and we can only thank God that We
have shelter, anu pray for those who have
none"
"Amen !" responded Ruric, fervently.'
After this the trio remained some min
utes silent, seeming to be busy listening to
the stornnnotes that came pcaling about the
cot. The wind was high, and the snow
now came dasbing upon the windows with
drearv, melancholy sound. The meal was
at length euten, and the table set back, and
shortly afterwards Paul retired to his bed
1t was his wont to retire early, for be rose
betimes to build the tires and prepare fol
the labors Of the day.
Rulic drew his chair close up to the fire
place, and leaning against the jam he bowed
his head and pondeled again. This had be
come habit with him OF late. Sometime:
he would sit thus during whole hour with
out speaking, or even moving, and hi:
mother dad not interrupt him, as she sup
posed he might be solving some mechanical
problem thar had arisen TO bother him, Blu
these tits OF thought had become too fire
Quent, too lengthy, and too moody, for suct
hypothesis, and the good woman wa
forced to believe that they were caused b,
something more remote than the bushes
OF the forge or the lathe. The youth nov
sat with his brow resting upon his hand
and his eyes bent upon the hearth. Fo
halt an hour he had not moved, and hi
face wore an anxious, troubled look.
"Ruric, my son." spoke the mother, q
length, in Il low, kind tone, {" hat is it tha
occupies your thoughts so much?"
The young man started and turned hi
gaze upon bis mother,
Ibid you speak to me, mothers o b
asked, after having recalled his mind t,
things about him. .4,s
.Yes, my boy" she said. "I did speal
to you. ] asked you what 1t was that oceu
pied your thoughts"
AS she smoke TINS She moved her sea