Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1882-10-27
DARK DEEDS In A PALACE.

Good Words.
DARK DEEDS IN A PALACE.
ANY one who has once seen the pict-
uresque little village OF Zaboria will
never forget it.
On tteright and left there rise. like
giants'from the red clay bed below. two
high cliffs which tower above the sur
rounding plain. and are reflected in the
vo'ga. which here spreads out like q
lake as it creeps lazily along, rippling
and rounding about their feet.
On the highest of the cliffs stands the
palace of the Prince Alexis Youriyitch.
On the other cliff the famous monastery
of St. Macarius, with richly decorated
churches. their walls brilliantly painted,
their fantastic cupolas Of blue and pur-
pie gemmed with golden stars. terlni-
mating in glittering crosses which seem
TO surmount and triumph over the cres-
cent
In the very center of the village are
the market-placcs. = few cotton factories
and some iron works.
Along the banks are huge barns for
the storing OF grain, and beside the wharf
are scores OF barges and Noah s-Ark- like
looking boats painted In red and green.
each furnished with . pair Of eyes at its
bows. This completes the picture Of
pretty little Zaboria-
II my readers win only add summer
day In all its fullness Of light and
warmth. the neyer-ending sound of the
bells frpm the monastery and its church,
cs, Che mellow bieating of the sheep in
the distant pasture lands, and the sweet
wandering voices Of the cuckoo and her
init thrush. heard but never seen. and
they will form faint idea Of the strange
and magical charm Of this busy little
Russian village
Here il the scene OF story which l
heard some months ago from an old
man. my Hlssian guide, aud which well
jllustratcs tho strange life OF the Rus
slams Of . former generation. 1t seems
like a cruel picture from the Middle
Ages.
As we leisurely assembled the cliff on
the right. my guide shook his head and
seemed 10 regret the old times, when
all the life and joy OF the village were
on this height and no one dared even
TO speak aloud below.
% Tow; a. is cnangea, ne began, as
are all free, @ be sure. but there Is no
one 70 look aiter u.s. ana no one to keep
US IA of9er Ana nc signed deeply.
Dy mS ume we nad nsccnded the
serted palace with its gardens over
grown with weeds. its pavilions, foun-
talnss s'solcS out-houses and under
ground prisons In few moments he
added; The great and noble families
wno 1noc i'ed mere arc all dead and
sonS.
VIC pnu'e1 70 inc ocsetteo urawing..
rooms ana the banquet halls, and could
nara'y tear ourselves away from the
sun par1y-iurnishcd picturc-gal'cry.
i1eie were some startling family por-
va,'.;r;ssh as onf On INC 5gnt .! fr'noo Alexis
tsi.a E nr IA sur,. Wt " whom Htr,nle
ssaa ~ az, 49, ., % Ts ~ nat : ctue,' wicked
- ~, 80 s's. ~ wss. nc ~ al,'s, nau stamped
~ - ~ i''e e..' - .ns oI*ool'cn character
" '1 .n-n - nsd portrayed. 4
Next 70 him was . charming portrait
oi The trlncess Natalie Danielofna, his
wiie' young and lovely woman. with
iarge dark eyes, rich. brown skin and !
l'enisn pr9wn haiF' dressed in the style |
On the right Of the Princess was the
portrait IN full length. Of a military |
oncer. rfIncc Boris, her only son. and |
8, c.o.o 70 tn.t 20 judge from the FORM
pale blue robe II antique fashion. In |
ss dss ssss oisdS' y ne ssns c ss held rose sS
black paint!
An thereby hangs dreadful talc.
s1'o ne guide. "Ionder Prince Alexis |
1ourivnch pointing to the picture
"ras . gryst and awful man. He
osE cx.ea 70 - tn.n thrcs Thousand
sys e. =: .sls!<.d = a. "a even
" renenber thc day On which Ne
hrouxht home bic br'de. that lovely LADY /
up there-th Princess Natalie. A
hunt 3as planned IN honor
q me ereat event ouf l heard my moth
sr s:y tse Icor young bride hung her
nesd. 1c.de4 her thick veil more closely
sround .er ssse e she neared her future
home. p!eadcd headache and soon 70
tired 70 ncr own room- while the BRIDE
Eroon snd The guests started OF 70 the
As! edded the guide. . l was then
rf1nos's equeuy, AID had hundred