Daily Republican., 1879-12-30
GUNMAKER OF MOSCOW.
TALE OF
The Empire Under Peter the Great.
CHAPTER |.


THE GUsMAKER AND THE MONK.
The time at which We open our story
is mid winter, and towards the close o
the seventeenth century Russia had
passed through the long and bitter or
deal of national Night. The Tartar
yoke had been worn till the very bones
OF the nation were CALLED; and when
this was thrown off civil dissepsions
and instructions commenced. The
Poles and Swedes plundered tho coun'
try, and amid general tumnlt and con-
fusion some half dozen men were clam;
oripg for the throne. At length . few
patriotic citizens, pledging everything
they held dear On earth to the cause Of
freedom from this curse OF anarchy, and
headed by noble prince and an hum
BILE. patriotic butcher, made a bold
stand to save the country. Moscow was
rstsksn, aud Michael Romanof was
chosen Car; and this 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 the throne.
In the department Of the sloboda-
the suburbs Of Moscow-and very near
the river Moskwa, stood an humble
cot, the exterior of which betrayed a
nsatness of arrangement and show ol
taste that more than made up for ita
smallness OF size. Nor was 1t 30 very
small in fact, but only In contrast; 70.
near at hand about it stood many
large, shabby, dirty.looking structures
that overlooked the prim cot, as bleak
mountains may look down upon YER
dant hill. And within this cot was as
neat as without. The two apartments
in front, one of which was only used
in winter, we're furnished not only
with neatness, but with fair show OF
ornament and luxury. Back OF these
were a large cooking and dining-room,
and two small bedrooms; and back still
from tkese was an artisans shop, and
other out. buildings. This shop was
devoted to the manufacture OF firearms,
mostly. Some swords, and other edged
weapons, we're made here upon special
application.
The gunmaker now stood by his
forge, watching the white smoke as 1t
curled up towards ths throat OF the
chimney. He was q young man, not
ever three and twenty, and possessed a
frame Of more than ordinary symmetry
and muscular development. He was
not large-not above medium size--but
a 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 features were regular, yet
strongly marked, and eminently hand.
some; his brow, which was full and
high, was half covered by ths light
curls that waved over it; while hiseyes,
which we're Of bright, brilliant, deep
gray in color, lent cast Of genius to
to the intellect of the brow. His name
was Ruric Newell. His father had been
killed in the late war with the Turks,
and the son, leaving his mother with a
OF sustenance, went to
Spain soon after the bereavement. There
he found work in the most noted arm
cries, and now, we'll versed in the
trade, he had returned to his native
city to follow his calling, and support
his mother.
Near by stood boy-Paul Peepon--
a bright, intelligent lad, some fifteen
years of age, who had bound himself to
the gunmaker for the purpose OF learn
ing the art. His hair and his eyes
were darker than his masters, and II
no possessed not so much sound intel.
lect, he did surely possess an unwonted
degree of keen, quick wit, and q prin-
cipls of answering integrity.
The sun had been sometime below
tie horizon, S. d the only light OF any
conspq usnce that made things partially
visible within tns shop came from the
dull blaze of tho Goals on the forge, as
Paul ever and anon pore down upon
the brake that moved the bellows. Sud
denly Ruric started back from the deep
reyeris into which he had fallen, and
having babe his boy to see that matters
we're 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 Newell was = ble.look'ng
woman, and the light of her still hand
so,n. countenancs 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 sunshine Of a. many sum
msrs had LETT her with thankful,
loving heart, and praysrful, hopeful
soul. HAIL.. ..
ut is showing again, faster than
aver" remarked Paul, as he took his
seat at the table. ~.
"Ah," returned Ruric, resting his
Knife 4 few moments while hs bent his
az "a listen to the voice Of the storm,