The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-04-22
Our Young People
MADE UP FROM THE BEST CLIPPINGS.
The Cars Fish.
BY DAVID KER-

got abroad that the Gar was com
ing down the river. on his way 4
his Summer Palace in the Crimes
So, of course, every one was on tn
look out for him; for the Russian
peasants of the Volga are a yer,
loyal set, and many old men anC
women among them, who had new
er been out of their native villag,
before, would tramp for miles owe
that great, bare, dusty plain OIL
the chance of catching a passing
glimpse of alexander Nlkolaie
witch" Alexander the son of Mich
olas, as they call the Carl
Among those who talked over tn,
great news, most eagerly were til,
family Of an old fisherman, who
was known as Lucky Michael. =
on account of his success in catch
ing the finest fish, although hard
work and experience had probably
much more to do with it thar
Luck.
But oflate Lucky Michael had
been very unlucky indeed. His
wife had been i'll. to begin with
and one of his two sons who helped
him with his fishing had been disa-
bled for several weeks by a bad
hurt in his arm. Moreover, his
boat was getting so crazy and worn
out that 1t seemed wonderful how it
kept ahoat at all; ut the news OF
Cars coming. seemed to comfort
him for everything.
''If Father Alexander Nikolaie-
witch would only give US monev
enough to buy a new boatp said
old Praskovia, MichaePs wife, as
she put away what was left of the
huge black loaf that had served
breakfast; "but l suppose 1t
wouldn't do to ask him."
"Of course notr' said Michael,
who was an independent old fellow;
'he's done quite enough for US al
ready, IN making US freemen, when
We were slaves before. Now, then,
let's get to work. Come, Shepen
[ stephen come, Ivan John |, and
let us see what God will send u.s."
But at first the luck seemed TO
be still against them, for they drew
their net twice without catching
anything. The third time, howev-
er, the net felt unusually heavy, and
there was such a Juggling and kick
ing inside of it that it was plain
they had caught a prett big fish
of some kind. John who was the
first to look in, gave a loud hurrah.
and shouted, Father! father-a
sturgeon! a sturgeonr'
There, sure enough, lay the
greaG fish amid a crowd of smaller
ones, in all the pride OF its spiny
back, and smooth, brown, scaleless
skin. All three rejoiced at the
sight, for a sturgeon will always
fetch good price in Russia, and
the two lads began to think at once
how far this would go towards pay
ing for a new boat.
They fished some time longer and
made one or two pretty good hauls;
but the sturgeon was the great
event of the day. John and Ste
phen wrapped it up carefully, and
we're quite proud to show it to their
mother on getting home; but they
looked rather blank at hearing
their father say, in a way which
showed that he meant it,
"This the finest fish I've ever
and 1 won't sell it to any
one. It's Gar among fish, just
like Alexander Nlkolaieuitch with
US; so it shall be his fish, and I'll
give it to him as he passes.
The news of MichaaPs fish, and
Of what he meant to do with 1t,
soon spread through the village, (
and created considerable excite
nent. But there was not much |
lime to talk it over, for two days |
ater, young Stephen, who had
been sent to look out for the Czar's
steamer, came running to say that
t was in sight. So Michael put
lis sturgeon into the boat, and away
lie pulled. 1t was a hard pull against
hat strong current, but at last they
5ot near enough to hail the steam
r and be taken in tow.
Up went Michael, fish and all,
nd the captain led him att to
7here the Gar aud officers were
landing, Many of them we're
andsOme, stalwart men, aH ablsze
nth lace and embroidery; but the
Id fisherman, with his tall upright &,
CURE, clear bright eye, and hale !
Id face framed in snow white hair, 6
'oked, despite his rough dress, as {
ne man as any of them. !
''See here, father" said he '.this
the finest fish ever caught, and
D I've kept it for you. l want :
othing for it; take it as a free
ift."
Thank you, brother" said the
Ear, tits royal fish, indeed, and 7
II have it for dinner this very day
I'D drink your health over it.
bats your nameY'
Michael Ribakoff, father, from
lie village of Pavlovo."
Good won't forget you.
ood-by." 7
When the villagers heard what
I'D happened, they all thought
ichael rather a fool for giving his =,
IN away, when the Gear would !
I'VE paid a good price for 1t. But
week later came a new fishing e'
'at for michael Ribakoff,, iu the L
ern locker of which were a com nj
etc suit of fishermen's clothes Il;
ID new net, with a piece of paper
scrlbed, in the Gar own hand- m
,iting, "a midsummer gift from III -
znder NikoLaieUitch and old Mi OF
ael always said that he valued "
e paper far more than the boat. in
@--s-- al
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