The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-01-02
CHAPTER i.
THE eUNACAKER AND THE MONK.

midWinter. and towards the close OF the
seventeenth century. Russia had passed
through the long and bitter ordeal OF ma
tional Night. The Tartar yoke had been
worn till the very bones of the nation were
CALLED; and when this was thrown OFF civil
dissensions and Instructions commenced
The Poles and Swedes plundered the eoun
try, and amid general tumult aHd confusion
some half dozen men were clamoring foi
the sthrone. At length few patriotic
citizens, pledsing everything they held
dear on earth 10 the cause of freedom from
this curse of anarchy, and headed by
noble prince and an humble. putriotic
batcher, made a bold stand to save the
country, Moscow was retaken, and Mlcn'
ael Romanoff was chosen Gar; ana tniS
iIlustrious family still occupies the i'm
perial 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 come 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 q neatness OF
arrangement and show OF taste that more
than made up for it's 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 looking struc-
lures that overlooked the prim cot, as
bleak mountains may look down upon q
verdant bill. And within. this cot was as
neat as without. The two apartments In
front, one of which was only used in win
ter, were furnished not not only with
neatness, but with fair show of ornament
and luxury. Back OF these were large
cooking and dining-room, land two small
bedrooms; and back still from these was
an artisans shop, and other out-buildings.
This shop was devoted to the manufacture
of firearms, mostly. Some swords. and
other edged weapons. were made here
upon special application,
The gunmsker now stood by bis forge.
watching the white smoke as it curled up
towards the throat of the chimney. He
was young man, not over three and-twen-
ty, and possessed frame OF more than
ordinary symmetry and muscular develop
ment. 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 featurnes were
regular, yet strongly marked, and eminent
" handsome; his brow, which was full and
high, was half covered by the light brown
curls that waved over it; while his eyes,
which were Of q bright, brilliant, deep gray
in color. lent a cast of genius to the intel
lcot of tue brow. His name was Ruric
Newell, His father had been Killed in the
then late war with the Turks. and the son,
leaving his mother with suficiency of
sustenance, went to Spain soon after the
bereavement. 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 himselfto the gun
maker 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 decree of keen. quick wit, aud a
principle of answering Integrity.
The sun had been some time below the
horizon, and the lonly 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 NOV
ed 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, be turned towards the door, and
was soon in the kitchen. where mis- mother
had supper all prepared and set out.
Claudia Newell was a noble-looking
woman, and the light af her still handsome
counteDaDee 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
Al.
shine of as many summers had left her
with thankful, loving heart, and pray
erful. hopeful soul.
''It is showing again, faster than
ever" remarked Paul. as he took his
seat at the table.
''Ah. returned Ruric, resting his
knife few moments while he bent his
ear TO listen to the voice of the storm
Il had hoped 'twould snow no more
for the present. The snow is deep
enough now. And how it blows"
Never mind" spoke the dame, in a
trustful. easy tone, lit must Storm
when it ljsteth, and we can only thank
God that we have shelter, and pray for
those who have nome"
Amen" responded Ruric. fervently.
After this the trio remained some
minutes silent, seeming to be busy in
pealing upon the cot. The wind
was high, and the snow now came dash
ing upon the windows with a d. cary,
melancholy, sound. Tue meal was
at length eaten, and the table set back
and shortly afierwa ards Paul retired to
his bed. 1t was his wont TO retire
early, for he rose Defines to build
the fires and prepare for the labors ofthe
day.
Ruric drew his chair close up TO the
fireplace, and leaning against the jam
he bowed his head and poudered again.
This had become a habit with him of
late. Sometimes he would sit thus
during a whole hour without speaking.
or even moving, and his mother did
not interrupt him, as she supposed he
might be solving some mechanical pro-
blem that had arisen to bother him, i
But. these 4ts ofthought had become too
frequent. too lengthy, and too moody,
for-s such a hypothesis, and the good
woman was forced to believe that they
were caused by something more 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 the hearth. For half
an hour lie had not moved, and his face
wore an anxious, troubled lock.
''Ruric, my SON." spoke the mother,