The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-02-26

she met with in print Soon she made the
acquaintance of Konstantin Nikolaev-
itsch, good-looking youth, son Of one
of the neighboring tradesmen, who, hay
ing been dismissed both from school and
from the army for bad conduct, fell in
love or pretended to do SO with our
heroine, influenced, some persons said,
by the report of the postmasters savings.
He appeared to be amiability itself; he
fed the canary, wound the yarn, petted
the cat, took the dog out to walk and
placed footstools under everybody's feet,
but an unlocked for circumstance put
an end to the happy state of affairs. The
family were drinking tea in their little
garden one warm evening with some
neighbors and wondered that Konstan-
tin did not as usual make his appear
ance Some one suddenly exclaimed:
There he is" Konstantin it was, but
in what plight His clothes torn and
muddy; his face bruised; his voice mar
ticulate from drinks. The females fed
in terror, the men tried to induce him
to go home, struggle ensued, and it
was necessary to call in the police.
The china on the table was all broken,
and when order was finally restored it
was decided in family conclave that
their doors should be closed to him in
future His name was now never men,
toned among them and Emma Teren-
tevna was sent to Moscow, where. re-
signed to the loss OF her old lover, she
hoped to find one more to her taste, but
soon saw that Moscow heroes, in part
ner for life, like many others, value
beauty wit or education far less than
comfortable little dowly. All this occu-
pied her thoughts as she sat in the
freight train that wintly afternoon, try
ing to keep her seat upon the bales.
What can be the matter at home
Perhaps another lover is there awaiting
me. Mamma wants to give me pleas
ant surprise. II anything were amiss
she would certainly have told me Poor
konstantin Going home reminds me
OF him. | wonder il 1 shall ever see
him again He WAS really very much in
love with me-
Their yet remained five hours OF her
journey; the rocking motion made her
feel drowsy In the twilight the forests
became dim and ill-dehned the wind
whistled through the bare branches and
sighed in the evergreens. The distant
bark of dog showed that the night
guards were at their posts; all else was
still; night came on.
Seated on a pile Of logs near the track
We're four Unlocking men, surrounded
by various weapons, and by long poles,
bearing iron hooks at the ends. In a
ragged overcoat, fifth, seemingly of
rather better class, appeared to be their
leader AS they conversed in low tones
q sound like the hooting of an owl
reached them, followed by a prolonged
whistle. The leader put his ear to the
ground: . 1t is coming" and from afar
was heard the trains distant 1umbling;
the trains red lights began to appear,
the locomotive approached. 1t had
hardly passed them when one of them
seized a pole and came stealthily for
ward.
g Be quick !" cried voice from the
train The pole was adroit1y interposed
between two Of the freight cars-the
rafting of the uncoupled chain was
drowned in the sound Of the wheels.
One car remained stationary--the others
vanished into the darkness, and from
some mysterious quarter suddenly APP
peared two sleighs drawn each by two
horses tandem" or as the Russians
say, "goose fashion" The leader IN
locked the door and all five leaped in,
:" Well managed, boys Now for the
bales. . TIE light of their lantern, to
their Surprise, fell upon youthful fe-
male form, which started up in alright.
The leader held it to her face. Emma
Terentevna, is it you?"
Konstantin Nikolaevitch, is it YOU
And how did you come here Are you
employed on the railroad? But the
train has stopped. Are we there?'
Konstantin recovering little from
his shame and modification explained to
his former lady-love the circumstances
which had induced him to join the gang
with whom she saw him. not forgetting
to imphcate her somewhat in his fall
But establishment became contempt, as
without any fear she exclaimed:
9 You robber! highwsyman How
dreadful how shameful p
might take,offense at your ill-timed
reproaches Emma Terentevna, but J
forbear. on account Of my former friend
ship, shall / call it Go to work, BOYS,
and make haste; the police will be on
us, and again to her: " We have our