National Republican., 1879-12-27
THE GUaMAKER OF MOSCOW.
ATALE or
THE EMPIRE UNDER PETER THE GREAT.
CHAPTER I.
THE aUNMAKER AND THE MONK.

y
bones of tho nation were CALLED; and when
this was thrown of civil discussions and insur-
rcottons commenced. The Poles and Swedes
pluhdcred the country, aud amid general
tumult and confusion some half dozen mon
weio clamoring for the throne. At length a
few patriotic citizens, pledging everything
they held dear on earth to tho cause of free
dom from this curse of anarchy, aud headed
| by n noble prince and an humble patriotic
butcher, made bold stand TO save the couu-
try Moscow was rotaken, and Michael Ro.
MANOR was chosen Gar; and this illustrious
family still occupies the imperial throne. And
now tho day OF Russian greatness dawned
but tho sun was not fairly up-the broad light
| opened not upon the empre--until Peter came
| to the throne.
In the department Of the Soboda-the sub
urbs OF Moscow-and very near the river Mos
kwa, stood an humble cot, the exterior of
which betrayed neatness of arrangement and
SNOW oil taste that more than made up for its
smallness of size. Nor was il so very small In
fact, but only in contrast; for near at hand
ABOUT 1t stood many large, shabby, dirty-loolS.
| ing structures that overlooked the prim cot, Ms
bleak mountains may look down upon YER
| dnnt hill. And within, this cot was az neat
as without. The two apartments In front, one
| Of which was only used in winter. were fur.
| nished not only with neatness, but with fair
show of ornament and luxury. Back of these
were large cooking and dining-room, and
| TWO small bedrooms; and back still from these
| was an artisans shop, and other out.build-
ings. This shop was devoted to tho manufac.
turc of firearms, mostly. Some swords, and
other edged weapons, were made here upon
special application.
The guumaker now stood by his forge,
watching the white smoke as IL curled up
| toward tho throat of tho chimney. IIo was
young man, not over thrce-and twenty and
! possessed frame of moro than ordinary SYM
motry aud muscular development. lilo was
| not large-not above medium size-but
single glance at the swelling chest, tho broad
| shoulders, aud the SNOWY ridges of the bare
arms, told at once that ho was master of great
| physical power. His features were regular,
| yet strongly marked, and eminently handsome;
his brow, which was full and high was half
covered by the light brown curls that waved
over 1t while his eyes, which were of bright
| brilliant, deep gray in color, lent cast of &c.
MUS 10 the intellect Of tho brow. His namo
was Ruric Novel; His father had been killed
IN the then late war with the Turks, and the
| son, leaving his mother with a suilicicncy of
sustenance, went to Spain soon after tho be-
reavement. There he found work in the
most noted armories; 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 boy--Paul Peepon-a bright
| intelligent lad, some fifteen years of age who
| had bound himself to tho gunmaker for the
purpose Of learning the art. His hair and his
eyes were darker than his masters and If he
possessed not 30 much sound intellect, ho did
| surely possess an unwonted degree of keen
quick wit, and principle Of unswerving in
tegrity.
The sun had been some time below the
horizon and the only light OF any consequence
| 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 Sud-
denly Ruric started back from the forge as his
mind broke from the deep reveric into which
he had fallen, and having bade his boy to SEQ
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 sot out
Claudia Newell was noble.looking woman,
and the light of her still handsome counte-
nance was never brighter than when gazing
upon her boy. She had seen the SHOWS of fifty
winters, and If they had left some silver upon
her head, and some age-marks upon her face,
tho sunshine of as many summers had left her
with thankful, loving heart, and prayer.
ful, hopeful soul.
Mt is showing again, flstor than ever"
remarked Paul, as he took his seat at the
table.
"Ah," returned Ruric, resting his knife a
few moments while he bent his ear to listen
to the voice of the storm. "I had hoped
'twould snow no moro for the present. The
snow Is deep enough now. Aud how it
blowsw
Never mind" spoke the dame, In trust
full easy tone; "it must storm when it listeth,
and wo can only thank God that wo have
shelter, and pray for those who have none"
"hmen ~ responded Ruric fervently.
| After this the trio remained some minutes
silent, seeming to be busy in listening to tho
storm-notes that came pealinG about the cot.
The wind was high, and tho snow now came
dashng upon the windows with dreary,
melancholy sound, The meal was at lcngth
eaten and the table set back aud shortly af-
terward Paul retired to his bed 1t was his
wont to retire early, for he rose betimes ia
build tho fires and prepare for tho labors o
the day.
Ruric drew his chair close up to the fire.
place. and leaning against the jam he bowed
his head and pondored again. This had be-
come habit with him of late. Sometimes he
would sit thus during a whole hour without
speaking or evon moving, and his mother did
not interrupt him, us she supposed lie might
he solving some mechanical problem that had
arisen 10 bother him. But these fits of thought
had become too frequent, too lengthy, and too
moody, for such an hypothesis, and the good
woman was forced to believe that they were
caused by something moro remote than the
business of the forge or the lathe. The youth
now sat with his brow resting upon his hand,
and his eyes bent upon tho hearth. For half
an hour he had not moved, aud his face wore
an anxious, troubled look.
"Ruric, my son." spoke the mother, at
length, in low, kind tone, what is it that
occupies your thoughts so much ?"
Tho young man started aud turned his gaze
upon his mother
'"Did you speak to me, mother ?" he asked,
after having recalled his mind to things about
him.
"Yes, my boy" sho said" did spoak to
you. asked you what ii was that occupied
your thoughts"
AS she spoke thus she moved her seat close
to where RurlO sat, aud placed hor hand upon
his arm.
"Tell me, my boy" sho added, in u low,
persuasive tone, what it is that dwells thus
upon your mind"
Ruric reached ont and took his mothers
hand, aud having gazed for some moments
into her face, he said
| 81 was thinking-and have been thinking
much Of late, my mother-of-of-Rosllin
Valdai."
Claudia Newell started as she heard that
name, and for tho whilo tho color iorsook her
cheeks.
"What my dear boy-what of her have you
thought ?" she asked, tromulousy.
"What but of one thing could l think my
mothor2 You have seen herr"