The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-12-27

wheeling. ", Va
The Gunmaker Of Moscow.
AIALE OV
The Empire Under Peter the Great.
CHAPTER /.
TIIR drNNAKER AND THE MONK.
Tho time at which We open our story Il
mldwlRIer, and towards the close Of tn,
seventeenth century. Russia had passed
through the long and bitter ordeal Of na
tiOnal night. The Tartar yoke had beer
worn till the very bones Of the nation
were CALLED and when this was thrown of
civil dissenSions and instructions com
mencCd. The Poles and SwedeS plum.
de Vi tho country, aud amid general
r. "ult and confusion some half dozen
men wero ClAnoriHg for the throne. Al
length few patriotic citizens, pledginp
everything they held dear on earth TO the
cause Of freedom from this curse Of an.
arChy, and headed by noble prince and
an humble, patriotic butcher, made a bold
stand to save the country. Moscow was
retaken, and Michael IsomanoG was
chosen Car; and the illustriouS family
still occupies the imperial throne. And
now the dAy OF Russian greatness dawned ;
but the sun was not fairly up-the broad
light opened not upon the empire-until
Peter came to tho throne.
In the department Of the SlobOda-the
suburbs Of M0scOw-Rnd very near the
river MosSwa stood IN humble cot, the
exterior Of which betrayed neAtness Of
arrangement and show Of taste that more
than made up for its Smallness Of size,
Nor was II 80 very small In fact, but only
in contrast; for near at hand about Il
stood many large, shabby, dirly.lOOking
structures iha. overlooked the prim cot,
as bleak mountains may look down upon
verdant hill. And within this cot was
rs neat US without. The two apartments
in front, one Of which WAS only used In
winter, were furnished not only with
nUatness, but with a fair show oil ornR.
rnent aud luxury. Back Of tkese were a
large cooking aud dining.room, and two
small bedrooms; and back still from these
was an artisans shop, and other out. build.
iRgs. This shop was devoted to the man.
uiACture OF firearms, mostly. Some
swords, and other edged weapons, weru
made here upon special application.
The gunmaker now stood by his forge,
watching the white smoker s 1t curled up
toward the throat Of the chimney. He was
young man, not over three.and.twenty,
and possessed frame Of more than Ordi.
nary symmetry and muscular develop.
ment lie was not lRrge-not above me.
dun size-but single glance at the awel,
ling chest, the broad shoulders, and the
sinewy ridges Of the bare arms, told at
once that he was master oil great physical
power. Ills features were regular, yet
strongly marked, and eminGntly hand.
some; his brow, which was full and high,
was half covered by the light brown Cutls
that waved over III while his eyes, which
were OF bright, brilliant, deep gray In
color, lent cast OF genius 70 the intellect
oil the brow. His name was RuriC Newell.
His father had been killed in the then
late war with tho Turks, and the son, leav-
ing his mother with a sufficiency OF sns.
tenance, went 10 Spain soon after the
bereavement. There he found work In
the most noted atmories; and now, well
versed in the trade, he had returned to
his native city to follow his calling and
support his mother.
Near by stood a boy-PAul Peepon-a
bright, intelligent lad, some fifteen yeafs
oil age, who had bound himself 10 the
gunmaker for the purpose Of learning the
art. His hair and his eyes were darker
than his masters, and II he possessed not
so much sound intellect, he did surely
possess an unwonted degree OF keen, quick
wit, and principle Of answering integ-
rity.
The sun had been some time below the
horizon, and tho only light OF any conse.
qlence that made things partially visible
within the shop came from the dull blaze
oil the Goals on tho 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 rsyerie into which he
had fallen, and having babe his boy to see
that matters were oil 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 Newell was u noble.lookiug wo.
man, and the light Of her still handsome
cOuntenRnCc was never brighter than
when gazing upon her boy. She had
seen the SHOWS Of fifty winters, and II they
had left some silver upon her head, and
some age.marks upon her face, the sun.
alma M ma MANS uOKnRThhn h.A 1afk H..
with thankful, loving heart, and
prAyerful, hopeful soul.
at Is showing again, faster than ever"
remarked Paul, as he took his seat at the
table.
"Ah," returned Ruric, resting his knife
q few moments while he bent his ear to
listen to the voice Of the storm. 81 had
hoped 'twould snow no. more Tor the
present. Tho snow L deep enough now.
And how it blows!"
"Neyer mind spoke the dame, in a
trustful, easy tone, lit must storm when
1t listeth, and we can only thank God that
we have shelter, and pray Tor those who
have none"
"Amenw responded Ruric, iervently.
Alter this the trio remained some min.
ntes silent, seeming TO be busy In listen.
Ing TO the Storm.nDtes that came pealing
about the cot The wind was high, and
the snow now came dashing upon the
windows with 4 dreary, melancholy
sound. The meal was at length eaten,
and the table set back, and shortly after.
wards Paul retired TO his bed. Il was his
wont to retire early, for he rose betimes 10
build the fires and prepare for the labors
Of the day.
Ruric drew his chair close mp TO the fire.
place, and leaning agalnst;the jamb he
bowed his head and pondered again.
This had become habit with him OF late,
Sometimes be would sit thus during a
whole hour without speaking, or even
moving, and his mother did not interrupt
him, Us she supposed he might DO solving
some mechanical problem that had arisen
TO bother him. But these fits Of thought
had become too frequent, too lengthy, aud
too moody, for such hypothesis, and tho
good woman waS forced to believe that
they were caused by something more re.
mote than the business Of the forge or the
lathe, The youth now sat with his brow
resting upon his hand, and his ewes bent
upon the hearth, For half an hour he had
not moved, and his face wore an anxious
troubled look.
"Ruric, my Sol" spoke the mother, at
length, In low, kind tone, "whal Is II that
occupies your thoughts so much2'
The young man started and turned his
gaze upon his mother,
IBID You speak to me, motherY" he
nAkBu affair hAylnU FnRulla1 hIH mind 20