Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-05-30
POPOFF'S JOURNEY.

1 VI VI Il - ~ y NV Il
'Well, what think you OF my pro-
iect, my little dOve2''
"Tomfoolery," retorted the "little
dove" without raising her eyes from
the Life of the Saints" IN which sh
seemed To be absorbed.
But l shall only be absent ten days
In all, my little soul-four to go, four
TO return-and-"
''Oh, be quiet, " said the ''little soul''
with n scant courtesy. "You seem TO
take me for an idiot. / know your
reason for wishing to meander of into
foreign lands; you want to go on a
carouse-to have a good time. Don't
tell me you don't. I'm ashamed of
you Drink your tea and let me
alone"
W nereupon the little soul'' plunged
still deeper into her favorlte work.
The above conversation occurred one
fine Sunday at Moscow between Vas
sill Iwanovltch POpoff, a middle class
notable" and merchant, and his
wife. Avdotia Iwanowne. The worthy
couple were sitting after mass at a
table, on which stood a agigantic "samo-
var" pulling out Jets of vapor. For
the ten years preceding the same con-
NEA61AAoAAs oAAAANlg val AACAf LstA
as regular as Sunday had come around,
that being the only day of the week
that the Popon's were able to see
much of each other on account OF the
encroachment OF business cares, on
the other days the husband going to his
once promptly at Z in the morning,
and not returning until evening.
Avdotia Iwanowne was a dark little
woman, strongly resembling a withered
olive, with sharp features and abrupt
In her movements, Her shrlll voice
made her servants tremble and cut
her husbands long speeches very short
The latter was n large, tall man, with
fat cheeks, a heavy beard and eyes that
were constantly winking. He Was as
timid rs he was big, and obeyed his
wife as implicitly rs one of the enOr-
nous barges that are sometimes seen
on the river is responsive to the slight
est motion OF the little snorting tug
that is towing it along. Apparently
they were the matrimonial compile
meuts OF each other, for they lived In
this way for twenty years, during
which time not "A single cloud had
arisen above the family horizon.
For the past ten years, however, an
Idea had gradually invaded the cir
cumscribed brain of Vassili 1wano-
witch, and had at last taken complete
possession of that organ.
He wanted To see Paris. The mar
ratIves of his friends regarding the
wonders OF that astonishing city, which
they had visited either on business or
pleasure, haunted him with the peril
nacIty OF an oft recurring dream, and
had finally aroused in him an unsuitable
curiosity that he was unable, even II
he wished, 10 allay.
He had bought "Guide to Paris,n
which he read secretly at his ware
house, and became so absorbed and
absent minded during its perusal that
he made the most absurd mistakes.
Not only did he give his clerks wrong
directions when under the influence OF
his Gallo mama, but one day, when
customer had asked him for the ad-
dress of a merchant in st. Petersburg,
he actually replied, place de Ia Con-
corde.''
Avdotia Iwanowne, like a good wife,
did all she could to dispel what she
called her husbands madness" She
kept her "ueuvaInes;" burned candles
before the miracle working Virgin of
Tvers haya; consulted three celebrated
fortune tellers of the city; made pill
grimage TO the convent of Troitza, not
far from Moscow; prayed, threatened
10 do many terrible things, but-did
nothing.
With the dogged determination of
weak natures, Vasslli IwanoTitch
maintained a stoical silence when as
sailed by his wife's reproaches; but as
soon as the violence OF the storm was
spent he would hazard a few timid
observations on the general subject
The journey. he would urge, might
be the means of opening up relations
with France for his business The
great exhibition that was about 10 take
place would give him information re-
gsriing a number of matters concern
ing which he was profoundly ignorant;
might, in fact, teach him much as 10
many Industries, etc.
Weary Of discussion, Avdotia IVAN
Owne had ended by turning deaf ear
70 all her husbands references TO the
unweicome subject-a policy that
caused the confiding Vassili, compelled
10 make a conddant OF some one, 10
pour out the fullness of his heart into
the bosom of his old servant, Anis-
sine
The day following that on which the
above conversation occurred, that IS
" SAY, on MOnuay, an uupIeCeuo11co
event took plice in the Popof house
hold. Contrary TO the custom or
years, EassilI Iwanovitch came rushing
home at noon, flushed with excitement,
out Of breath, his face covered with
perspiration, and holding an open letter
In his hand.
Here, read this; It has just comeV
ne shouted, as he caught sight OF his
better half. The poor woman gazed
AZ him In amazement and ALARM She
believed her husband had become sud-
denly insane.
The letter bore foreign stamp, and
was crouched in the following terms:
SIR-The numerous orders that We
are constantly receiving from Russia
Ior our new sewing machine, The
L'ghtuing,' have caused US to decide
70 open an agency at Moscow. Our
sAes from your empire foot up from
o,ooO 70 5000 machines annually.
Having consulted the American