Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-03

houses: besides, they have had enough OF me.
am ashamed to importune them, especially when
I remember that once lacked for nothing t
does not seem so long since went TO church as
now / am going with you. / had the Easter
brate the Sav1our's festival My wife was with
me-you remember her, Daria; a good woman
God give her the kingdom OF Heaven! Now
bread OF others is bitter-you yourself know it,
perchance. 1t has come 10 this" said Andrew,
pressing closer to his heart the little Lastotchka,
whose dark eyes had not for an instant quilted
his pale face, that we have nothing to light
the fire; our wood and straw are gone; we have
no money to buy more. We have not even
When we return there will be nothing to place
before the holy picture"
Daria plunged her hand into her bosom and
drew forth piece OF coarse linen tied In knot,
and opening It with her teeth took two small
coins, one OF which she gave to the peasant.
There, take it, she said; II have two You
looked at the orphan girl, stopped made ges-
ture, then. pressing the coin In his palm, went
onward with her.
hill, and saw the village like black stain on
the bosom OF the measurelesS fields. The
houses, the barns and the trees that shaded
them made dark and inn enetrable mass and
IT was only In the little windows OF the wooden
church, whose steep roof rose up against the
clear sky, that lnnumerahle little lights shone.
They soon reached the village and crossed the
narrow wooden bridge. To the right, across
the little creek that sparkled like scythe-blade
between two steep banks, rose mill surround
ed by willows, big black block; to the left, be-
yond nfllock, appeared the crosses In the
graveyard; the road wound up the height, at
the summit OF which stood the gloomy and de-
crepit church.
The church was divided into two parts; the
interior, where the service was conducted. was
flooded with light, contrasting strongly with
the other portion, which was In Semt-ObScurtty.
There was such a thrOng that 1T was not pos
sible to reach the Illuminated part. Separated
nv q
however to tread his way between the ranks OF
the wOrshippers TILL he reached corner from
which he could see the altar and the inches In
which were hung the sacred pictures 1t took
some little effort at first to quiet LaStOtchka.
who, cltng1ng TO his neck, pointed to the lighted
part of the church, asking, "What is that?" and
caresSiDg his chin cOaX1ngly; but presently her
little head dropped on his shoulder and gentle
sleep came upon her. Putting her on the floor
in sheltered corner, Andrew lighted the little
yellow taper he had bought and crossing
himself piouSly prepared to listen to the Gospel.
The silence that reigned In the outer half of
the church disposed to prayer; only from time
TO time an old woman touched him On the
shoulder to beg him to pass on towards the
altar taper which he gave to his neighbOr in
front. Falling on his knees, with his eyes fixed
on the lights, Andrew forgot all that was
around him and prayed with all the power OF
his soul imploring God to strengthen him that
he might support in patience and without muir
muring the misery and misfortune that had
fallen upon him-nOt to abandon him. the un-
happy one, in the sorrow and affiiction OF his
leaTt.
Suddenly sound of joy and triumph broke
from the choir, as II eXtfnguiShed by single
breath the tapers all went out, mingling their
smoke with the incense that curled up to the
joyous cries, 1'ChriSt is Ar1Sen.' Every one
embraced his fellow. All thronged around An
drew, and knowing his poverty pressed upon
him morsel OF cake or red egg. The poor
fellow at last had wherew1th to break his fast
Passing his hand across his eyes, the peasant
took his child In his arms and having made the
Cifrnn ~ m re loft rpI,tr
On all sides upon the road he heard the Joyous
EXPLANATIONS OF welcome as brother greeted
brother, father son, or husband wife, and beheld
the happy countenances Of his neighbors. AS he
drew near TO Vuyssielok he saw the lights in all
the wtndows-his cottage alone was like dark
stain on the hamlet
When he entered he found it dark and cold
He took Off his caftan and wrapping Lastotchka
In it. laid the sleeping child on a BENCH placed
on the table the fragments nf cake he had been
the piece OF taper weEt 10 the stove door, opened
IL and fumbled among the ashes. They were
cold; he could not fad coal with which to light
his taper.
Going out into the lighted roadway he knocked
at the door OF house. "Who is there? What
do you Want?'.asked hoarse and broken
voice. 1T is ANDREW" he answered; "lend
me little fire, Aunt Anna, that may light my
candle
The window was opened and the wrinkled
head OF an old woman thrust forth. "a nice
DAY to ask for fire J" she cried-on festival days.
and especially at Easter, Russian peasant can
hardly Oe Induced to lend fire to his neighbOr
| guished and bring him bad lHck-''AS likely as
not you have not lighted your own fire and
come begging Goals from your neighbors. Go
elsewhere, my good man, and see what they
country"
"God be with you.' said Andrew, and tried
| the next house, and third and a fourth, but
| at each one he received the same answer. With
| dropping head and a sinking heart he was
| about TO re-enter his cottage when he saw
| light in the fields beyond.
"Wagoners doubtless" he said to himself
| "wagoners who nave been spending The night
| In the plains. will go to them-perhaps they
may not refuse me, he added, walking towards
| the light which each moment grew brighter.
| 1t was not long ere he reached it. Some
twenty wagons were drawn up around pile of
dried branches above which hung kettle. Be-
| side them, but little way off, lay the oxen,
| looking in the shadow like big Jumps Of chalk.
The Wagoners, darkly bronzed men with big
| mustacheS, were seated mOtiOnleSS and silent
around the fire, the fiickering Of which alone
gave to their faces an appearance OF life. Sunk
In silent rever1e, they did not seem to have
noticed the approach OF the stranger.
Christ is ar1Sen,'
He is arisen indeed" replied the eldest wag
oner, gray Old man with mustache as white
as snow, who rising slowly crossed himself anG
kissed the peasant Andrew went rOund The
circle, embracing them In turn, then said to the
old man, who had reseated himself, "My brother
your fire."
"You are welcome - said the old man. gruff1y
and Hitting TO his elbows his tattered sleeves ht
thrust his hands into the midst of the blazing
mass that was sending up golden sparks to the
dark blue sky, and drawing them forth 1lleC
with glowing Goals said, Take these in YOU
coat, peasant
Faith said Andrew to himself, when g
man In flesh and blood can, with the hands witt
which he has just signed the blessed cross upor
himself, handle hot Goals without burning him
self. / think my poor coat can run no danger,
and holding il up to the old wagner he let thu
the old man drop the Goals into it.
| Thank you, brethren, for your kindness,
| said Andrew. saluting them.
| "God 60 with you.' said the old man, and The
other wagoners said also, God go with you!"
| VI.
When he entered his cottage Andrew dropped
| the Goals near the oven, and, having assured
himself that his coat was safe, lit the light. 4
moment later and the taper lending its rays u
! those OF the l0utchina shed a lively radlanc.
| through the room. All within It seemed Il
smile and grow cheerful. Andrew himself Eel
his heart less heavy. Faithful TO the old Gus
tom he awakened LaStOtchka and placing he
| on the bench before the fragments OF the EaSte
cake, crossed her and himself, and they began
| TO eat. AS the repaSt was drawing to close
knock was heard at the door, and little oil
woman, wr1nkled and humpbacked, entered.
! "Ab, il is you, Aunt Anna? Be welcome
| Christ Is HSen' and he embraced the old NO
| man.
"He is arisen, indeed" said she; "and wa
afraid, my dear neighbOr, that you We're angr.
with me. My dear friend" she added, lend IN
rnrfrc obi n 1taye 1H41rS