Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-09-25

Oossack soldier at my side, clad In his gray
capote. looked al him. He stood calmly
smoking a small, short, cherry-wood pipe,
and swinging his arms, he looked at the fire
with undsguised satisfaction; but his un-
steady eyes proved that he had taken several
glasses Of brandy too much.
Misfortune misfortune /" cried the butch
er's voice. BE was in the middle Of the
square, and looked with frightened air at
his lamenting family. He pulled out his
hair, and his little frizzled ourls huttered in
the wind from the impetuosity Of his move
ments.
"Misfortune" repeated all the Jews in
chorus.
II have forgotten my old mother !" cried
the unlucky fellow. A burst OF laughter an
swered him from the Poles.
II thought she was with you," said he TO
his wife, who had started up horri6ed, with
her youngest child in her arms.
Where is she p they all shouted 10 him.
With q gesture OF despair he pointed to the
house, and covered his head with the tail OF
his coat. They stopped laughing Jewess
as she was she was a woman.
'She is in her room on the left, said he.
''The fire has not reached there yet-save
her, my friendsl" he added, In voice full of
anguish.
His friends, who had helped him until
each other with gestures, and remained 81
lent
go there yourself" cried an urchin in
the crowd.
81 will give the half Of my property to him
who will save her I" cried the butcher, wiring
ing his hands. The half, yes, the half, he
repeated with earnostness. "Save the poor
old woman" !"
He was now addressing the Poles. No one
moved. The tall Cossack, my neighbor, made
a motion, then hesitated and at length went
and stood before the butcher not without
staggering q little.
mo nonsense I" said he, With his pipe in
his mouth. "What will you give me to go
there ?"
He pointed to the house, which was nov
almost covered with flames.
Five silver roubles, my friend five rou-
bles !"
TT is not much" said tho Cossack "well,
we have no time for bargaining You hear,
all Of you" cried he, in loud voice "he
said five roubles !"
A murmur OF assent ran through the
crowd.
"But you must bring her back" said the
Jew, clinging 10 the soldiers sleeve, "or else
nothing is DONE"
Fool !" muttered the Cossack. 1T is not
my pleasure that am going to walk in there! I!
Where is she, your cid she goat of a moth
| err"
ION the bed, in the room on the left, in
the corner"
Good !" the Russian grumbled then,
with Gods help !" he shouted in a resound
ing voice; and he jumped with bound on
the steps. ALI the population of Roudnis
held its breath. He made the sign of the
cross, and disappeared in the flames
Your horses are ready" said the position
TO me-" climbing to his seat.
Wait" / replied in a low voice. My
friend had rebound me, and was watching, as
we all were, for the end Of the drama
The Cosssck reappeared, his face burning
red carrying in his arms the old Jewess, who
had tainted away. He had not left his pipe.
There she is, your old woman !" he said
to the Jew with an exclamation of triumph.
At this moment the entire house took fire
with a sort Of detonation, but it interested no
one any longer. All eyes were fixed on the
/ Cossack
Come !" he said "pay mel"
what Z" stammered the Jew, $50 soon
Wait till have placed my family in safety"
mo nonsense" growled the threatening
Oossack; "pay me Immediately, or else"
| Through the habit of fear, the butcher held
his hand in front Of his face but the Cos
sack was not thinking of striking him he
/
full of rage. Blinded by his avarice, the jew
paid no attention to it he drew, with trou-
BILE, greasy portfolio out of his breast, and
| opened it, moaning, searched in it several
times, and took out of it at length g crumpled
paper, which he presented to the Cossack.
The roof fell in with shower of sparks that
scattered as far as the place where we were
standing. 1t was as light as full midday.
"a rouble |" cried the -Cossack-he flung
his pipe far away-''a rouble for having risk
ed my life rouble All, cursed dog!
would rather return there for nothing" He
seized the unfortunate old lady in his arms,
and before any one could divine his intention
he rushed towards tho house. The steps had
not yet caught fire; he bounded on them
with his burden, and threw it into the flames.
Then, turning towards the crowd
"a rouble Thief, hog, go and get your
own mother for nothing now"
The Mortified crowd stood silent l jump.
ed into the calash, and my friend after me.
"Drive on Gallopl !" said TO the position.
felt myself incapable of witnessing any
thing more. Just as the calash started, por-
ton OF the facade fell forward, separating the
soldier from the square. His tall figure wai
thrown out darkly against the incsndesceni
background. He tried to leap over the flames
but just as he jumped a beam struck him or
the head, and he fell"
make haste make haste !" cried to the
position.
He put his horses at galloping speed, the
crowd drew aside mechanically, and we were
soon driving in the open country.
We could not sleep for week after.