The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-09-02

copy from the book in his other hand.
Any one who had looked closely at these
figures would have seen that they were
lelters-Russian letters-and that some
times he would write a whole word at
once, and then put the meaning oppo-
site it in German. In fact, he was
teaching himself the language of this
new country that he had got into, and
seemed to be pretty we'll on with it. for
every now and then he would leave off
writing, and read page of his book
without meeting single word that he
could not MASTER
"Look at Karl Osterman yonder,
shaving away at that book of his!'' said
one of the men. much good that'll
do him! As if one could saw plank or
hammer a rivet any better for knowing
that crack-jaw lingo!'
He's going to teach the Russians
their own languagc-that's what he's
at!' grinned another. IA regular pro-
lessor. amt he? far too clever for poor
fellows like us!''
Gay, he'll be a great man one of
these days." chimed in third, with
hoarse laugh, land then perhaps he'll
be kind enough to give us job"
Little Karrs eyes sparkled, and he
set his lips firmly, as if making up his
mind that he ,oo,sld be great man yet,
somehow or other; but he said nothing,
and went quietly on with his work.
Suddenly the door flew open, and in
came Russian soldier in shabby
green uniform trimmed with faded gold
lace. He was very tall and powerful
0u,S<h y Lon s.
framed in close-cropped hair, and great
black eyes that seemed to pierce right
through any one whom they looked at.
~ say, my good fellows" cried he,
"here's an order from the Gear, which
I'm to paste up in this room; and I
want to have it in German and Swedish
as we'll as Russian, that every one who
comes in may be able TO read it. Per-
haps one of you would kindly lend me
helping hand with the job, for I'm
not a,s.,.. yer Y glib with foreign languages
The men glanced meaningly at each
other, and the two who had been max
ing fun of Osterman looked rather
sheepish, as if thinking that they had
better have been learning Russian
themselves instead of laughing at him.
I'm do it for you, Mr.. Soldier"
said little Osterman. stepping boldly
forward, "if there aren't any very big |
words in it. I've only got as far as
three-syllable words in Russian yet,
you know
The soldier stared at him for mo-
ment, and then began to laugh.
"Well, my boy, I don't think you'll |
find many big words on this paper; it's
pretty plain sailing so far as it goes.
See il you can read -
Karl took the paper and read it off |
easily enough.
swell done, my fine fellow!'' cried |
the Russian; you're a smart lad for
your age, I can see that. Now try if
you can put it into German"
To work went our hero, with look |
as solemn as any professor on his little
round face. Once or twice he stopped
as if at loss for a word; but he got |
through at last, and having finished the
German, began upon the Swedish.
'What? do you know Swedish, too?"
cried his new friend. "Why, man,
you're perfect dictionsry!'
'.My mother was Swede, :" answered
Osterman, land she taught me her own
language; and my father was . German,
and he taught me his"
you're a lucky fellowr' said the
with sigh. II only wish I'd
had some one to teach me when I was
your age, l should know q great deal
more than do.'
"What? didn't your father teach you,
then?''
HE died when was mere child"
'aid the Russian, sadly, land my moth
er, too"
"Oh dear, I'm 50 sorry! But had you
no brothers or sistersp"
II had . brother, but he was blind,
poor fellow, and couldn't help me; and
Is for my sister, there his face dark
sned fearfully), '.instead of being kind
10 me, she tried to have me killedv'
..What . shamer' cried the boy, in
clinching fist about the size
If large plum. II only wish I'd been
your brother!-I wouldn't have let any
body touch your
This valiant promise OF protection
made by tiny boy to . stalWart soldier
IF six feet three, tickled the other emil
grants 20 much that they burst into .
oar Of laughter which made the old
walls ring. But the soldier did not
aueh; he only passed his hand tender
y over the child's curly head, and then
itooped to look at the book which Karl
had been reading.
"Ah! the story of lila the Strong. I
used to be very fond of it when was q
BOY. How do you like itp''
UVerv much. indeed. didn't think