The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-05-08
HASTILY MARRIED.
How q Russian Soldier Found His
Unknown Bride.


Toward the end Of 1911, an epoch SO
memorable in the history of Russia,
there dwelt on his domain of Menaro-
downo, Gabriel Gabrielowich, with his
wife and only daughter Maria, charm.
ing young girl about seventeen years Of
age.
Gabriel Gabrielowich was much loved
and respected; generous to an unusual
degree, his house was ever open to all
who chose to accept his lavish hospital
ity. Maria Gabrielowna had, of course,
many suitors, attracted both by her per-
sonal charms and reputed wealth, but
in spite of all opportunities she remained
obstinately Indifferent to all. Her ro-
mantle and impressionable mind,
affected by the constant reading Of
many French novels, led her to imagine
herself desperately and irrevocably in
love. Unfortunately, the object of her
affections, who undoubtedly returned
her love, met with the contemptuous
disapprobation of her parents, in whose
mind poor non-commissioned officer
was no fitting match for the heiress oil
Menarodowno. He was relentlessly for
hidden the house, but in spite of this
the lovers met daily at the old forest
well, and there plighted their troth.
When winter came, these stolen inter
views were, perforce, discontinued. AT
length the separation became intolera.
BILE, even with the solace of a daily in
terchange of love-letters. and Vlad mil
Nicolaewich, in one of these, poured
forth in glowing words all his love and
misery, and besought his lady love to
fly with him, assuring her of her pa
rents forgiveness-for who, indeed,
could withstand the humble prayer the
lovers would make for forgiveness, or
fall to be touched by such heroic love
and constancy?
Maria S romantic imagination was fas-
cinabed; she could not resist, and soon all
preliminaries for the fight were settled.
She would feign headache, and retire
early; at ten o'clock q sleigh would be
waiting at the small garden gate, and
in this she would be driven, with he1
maid, through the forest OF Jadrino,
where Vladimir would await his bride
in the village church.
On the eve of her contemplated elope-
ment, Maria, who was restless and I'M
happy, retired early to her room and
spent part of the night inditing long
and sentimental epistle to her dearest
1r end, and also shorter one to hel
parents. in which she entreated then
forgiveness for the step she was about
To take, impelled by her unalterable
love for Vladimir, who, as her hus-
band, would return to beg their in
diligence and blessing. After sealing
this etfusion with two flaming hearts
and an appropriate motto, the rest Of
the night was spent In all the terrors
OF manifold and complicated night
mares so that dawn found our heroine
up and dressed, pale, and with no need
to feign headache. Every anxious in
quiry on the part of her afectionate
parents cost her pang, yet she man
aged to get through the day without
exciting their suspicious. and retired
Immediately after dinner. The maid,
entering a little after nine to make the
final preparations, found her young
mistress weeping bitterly. In less thar
an hour, though, she must go; so,
quickly drying her tears, Maria soon be.
came once more the love-sick damsel
flying from stern and cruel parents tc
the arms of her own true knight.
All was quiet within the sleeping
household, but without the wine
howled, and moaned, and beat madly
against the easements truly, threat
ening night. Maria and her maid went
softly dawn stairs, and reached the oar.
den in safety. 1t was dark as pitch
the piercing cold wind whistled dis.
mally through the trees and blew fierce.
ly in their faces, as if bidding then,
turn back. AT length through the dark.
ness they could discern the sleigh and
Vladimir's trusty servant vainly irving
to quiet the FESTIVE horses, who, as i
aware of the danger of freezing where
they stood, impatiently struck the hard
frozen ground with their hoofs,
Meanwhile let US follow the happy
bridegroom. Vladimir Nicolaewich had
had a busy day, what with his persuad
ing the priest Of Jadrino to perform the
marriage ceremony, and searching fol
witnesses among the neighboring land.
owners. The first he found was an ex,
officer, Dravine by name, who accepted
the duty with pleasure-it reminded
him, he said, of his escapades when in
the regiment of hussars. He beore6
Vladimir to dine with him, and under
took to find the other two wltnesse;
himself. One of these was Smidt, the
surveyor, and the other young Ispraeo
mex, just turned seventeen, and abou
to enter the Fifth Lancc<s These two
not only promised to be witnesses tc
Vladimir's marriage, but enthusiastic
ally swore they would face death itsel
to help him. vladimir thanked then
heartily, and left to make the final prep
arations at his own place.
1t was already dark; so, after dis
patching his faithful Rerodeka to Men
arodowno with troika (two-horst
sleigh, he ordered one-horse sleigh
for himself and started. 1t was nine
O'clock; he could reach Jadrino fully
halfan hour before Maria, for he coulc
certainly drive there in thirty minutes
But driving was no easy matter; The
wind was full against him, and blew
the binding snow-fakes sharply into
his face. Soon the very road disap.
peared under white cloud, the horse
stumbled blindly at every step, and
Vladimir was obliged over and over
again to get out and disengage the
sleigh from some snow-heap. With
feelings akin to despair the poor fellow
realized that he had gone astray, and
stumbled along, scarce daring to hone
chance might yet lead him straight. Al
length the sight of little black specl
ahead aroused his falling courage, and
fervently thanking God, vladimir made
for the friendly hut.
''Jadrino can not now be far
thought ne; II will stop here and ask
my way"
An old man, half asleep, answered
"What do you wantp'
How far is it TO Jadrino?"
'Jadrinop Not far--a matter of ter
miles. !"
Poor vladimir