The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-02-05
a Married Widow.

1t was just before the opening of the rail-
way from Taganrog to Kharkof in 1869, and
was driving these dreary distances in aut-
umn. For the first two days and nights
the weather was lovely, but on the third
morning, soon after sunrise, tho sky became
covered with heavy, torn and jagged clouds;
northerly wind arose, and with thunder,
lightning, cold gale, and snow, the winter
burst on us as it yearly breaks on Southern
Russia. In half an hour the rich, black,
rolling plains had become an ocean Of inlly
mud, and we reached the post station Of
Donski only to find the order, 'Tmpossiblc
to proceed"
l called for tea, and tho samovar was
brought III by fine, upright, gray bearded
man, whom, from his black velvet tunc
and slashed sleeves, took to be the post
master himself. lie was followed into the
room by noble looking Cossack woman of
his own age, who said, 'Little husband,
why don't you ask the little lord if he will
cat partridge and bit Of bread? The
kurupntka is plump, and the day will be
long before his troika can be harnessed to
face the storm" She smiled sweetly as she
spolic-he smiled lovingly upon her; then
she left us, looking hngcringly back.
"Your wife's in love with you still, and
you with her, postmaster" said. "You
must have beaten her well when she was
young for her to love you so. How long is
1t since you were MARI cd2
81 am sixty" he replied; "I was married
at twenty-five, thirty five years-:fue gears
before I Itiied."
"What ?" said I.
"Five years before my death. Is it pos
siblc that you don't know my story7 You
must have come long way off, for have
heard that it is told even upon the Azof."
And, throwing his legs across chair,
without more ado, he spoke thus, I was
born in 1909 and can remember the return
from Paris Of my father and uncle-Cos-
sacks OF the Don. Those were grand days,
when every Cossack was an officer by birth,
and when the Hetman Platot was King of
Europe, conqucror Of the Turks and Of the
French, and friend and equal Of the White
Tsar. Now this Petersburg Tsar says that
we're no better than his Great Russian
slaves, and for many years my sabre and
long pistols have hung upon the wall I'M
used; and when have worn my red band
cd cap and my red stripped breeches I've
always hid as much rs could of the stripe
in my boots, for Pm ashamed Of it now !;
and they're even going to take away our
privilege Of the supply Of salt.
''ln 1884, as q young postmaster--for my
father was dcad--with q good place and a
handsome heard, was tho best match in
the two church villages round. could pick
my wife, and chose Olga, that you saw
just now" t. 4#,
"Therol'' saidI. irr
FAhl wait and see. Wait, little lordl
Don't be impatient Olga was as lovely
as she was good. You have seen her in her
sixtieth year. Her goodness is what 1t
was; and, though may be an unsafe judge,
her beauty, think, is not yet gone. j"
He looked at me. l nodded. ...
"We were happy at first; but I was
young. / felt the chain. ! was faithful
to- her as far as women went, but not kind
We had no children. IT,.
"Onc day, in 1880 she was In low spirits
about me, and flung her arms upon sud,
den about my neck, with, DO you really
love me, little John2' ,, N
"'You know do ~ g.~ f.
=" But not as love you. IaIinu a
''ro tell you what thoughts flashed In an
instant through my mind would be impossi-
| bic. That what she said was tr,ie,. That
| while did love her in kind way, I was
bound to her for life, whether l. would ol
no. In fit Of Wild rage, I struck her ont
short, sharp blow. She looked at;nne, will
'despaIrfin her eyes, and walked slowly into
our other room. ] ran into the stable yard
e ~ Harnessa 20 ttroika," said / t0a the star
osta. II 4 leave at once for ,Kharkof,t will
: dispatches for the courier chopped, and tha