Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-07-04
HER FATAL GREED.
BY COUNT LEO ToLsToI.

zone there was situated in the White Sea
a large island called Duran, on which were
rocky mountains covered with pinetrees.
About the centre Of the island there stood
a shanty made Of thick wooden logs, hav-
Ing small windows OF fint-glass or crystal,
which in winter were thickly covered with
ice and snow. This shanty afforded shell
ter for young Russian peasant, Ivan
Pastoukhoff, and his wife Olga-both re-
fugees from the prosecutions OF Ivan the
Terrible In the great Novgorod Republic.
Their uneventful life flowed on quietly and
happily. Ivan was strong and broad
shouldered and passed his time in hunting
reindeer, black bears, foxes, beavers, mar
tins, ermine, elks, and various kinds OF
birds, such as black grouse, partridges,
duck, hazel grouse, geese, and other game
so plentiful In the North. They had few
domestic reindeer, which supplied them
with milk and skins from which to make
warm clothing. The reindeer were en-
ployed also for sledge-riding and for
carrying wood and various other neces-
saries. Siberian dog, Vaska and large
white Siberian cat completed the happy
family.
Olga, o tall, powerful woman OF fair COM
pleXion, with long, flaxen hair, was indus
trious and made their little home as COM
Portable as possible by covering the walls
and floor with bear and reindeer skins.
and from the product of her hook and line
she made delicious O0khG Soup. Her hus-
band brought home game to roast in the
big stone oven. Their days were passed
pleasantly ana their evenings In singing
songs and tellln9 stories OF tne glorious
republic OF NovogorodIlts TtetcMes, OF
reign Of Ivan IlI.), absent relatives and
friends also coming in for share in the
conversation
once herce snowstorm rageo LOT many
days, and their supply OF food was nearly
exhausted when Ivan suggested that ne
put on his snowshoes and go to the woods
and see II any birds had been ensnared
in his traps, OF which he had many set in
different places, and saying at the same
time that Olga had better try II she could
catch few fish. So Ivan put on his long
snowshoes and went to the forest ana olga
proceeded to the seashore, but alasl Dotn
returned empty-nanoeo In the evening
and there was nothing to COOK for supper.
Olga was greatly depressed, and scarcely
looked at Ivan, who related to her pc
culiar story OF how, on examining bis
traps, he found them all empty until he
came to the last one-and 1t contained q
golden kouropdtIsG, or partridge, the most
beautiful bird he had ever seen, and which
had begged him-ohl so pitifully-to spare
her life and give her her freedom. saying;
II there Is anything you wish for, come
and say: My handsome partridge, turn
your smiling face and listen to me-
You big rool, shouted the lnturlateo
Olga; now we have nothing for supper,
and partridge would nave been just the
thing. II you go tomorrow to meet your
golden partridge l am sure you will lind
no trace OF her, while she will but laugh at
your foolishness."
she spoke to him not another word the
whole evening, but remained seated in the
corner, where picture of the Holy Virgin
hung, on which fell the gloomy light from
the lamp suspended before it. Poor Ivan,
sitting In the opposite corner, never felt
so miserable in his life. The fearful storm
outside, combined with the bowling OF
wolves in the woods, made him feel still
more depressed, and he longed Tor morn
ing to come that he might leave Tor awhile
his unhappy home. Rising early, he took
q shovel and, removing the snow from the
doorway OF his shanty, put on his snow
shoes and departed for the forest, followed
by his friendly dog Vaska.
When he reached the forest he paused
and said: MY handsome partridge,
turn your smiling face and listen to me-
The golden bird appeared before him
smiling and happy. what can DO Tor
you, Ivanushkar she said.
Ivan replied: we nave no food' and
my wife Is both hungry ana angry and
VIII poI speah 10 NO.
go home" she said, and you will find
everything you require to eat and drink"
When Ivan returned to his homo he
found a table In the middle OF the room
heavily laden with caviare, different kinds
OF meat, rrults' VINES liquors., plrogs,
blinni-cakes, and preserves. olga met
MIN VIII sLllns Inoo' eaS lIs
MY dear lvanusnKa' we nave every
thing we WanC 10 eaG anu 1.-THE IIll 1our
goioen partrluge senC ~. ~ 10 laA9 4hnt
chanCs n1e-Iuli OF everything onty 1laC
we now want petter nome. Since your
bird mas been SO klnu' ASK n9r II sue can-
not GET us a peIIer noase 20 lvein.
Ivan again VlslCeu Cne pllu anu on com-
Ing nome was greatly surprlseu 20 see
beautilni large nouse suLrouIueu ny iot tt'
ly gardens: IN enIerlhg ne was SUN
more surprised 10 SOC nuAtsl S ttontEule
large mirrors ana t serT%hLS ~ whnre
upon ms Wiz 40 'I 49, bane' snraod Tbo
an eleSanT aepHo n, 49, s,,nerh and com.