The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-06-18


and masterlv retreat of Gen. Barclay de folly
N retreat misunderstood not only by foreign
nations but by the Russian people themselNes-
ne was unanimously chosen CommandeT-ln-
Chief of az the forces. So great was the en-
thusiasm of the Russian army upon receiving
the news Of this appointment that the words
"prichal Koutouzof BIT tranzouzon were
40 be heard IA every mouth.
So thoroughly did this renowned deneral
understand the temper OF his men That upon
reviewing them on the 18th Of August at
Tzarer and seeing before him those VOWS upon
rows Of eager, trusttul faces, he exclaimed IN
A voice loud enough 10 be heard by al the
nearer ranks, How is il possible 10 mink OF
retrcatng with such men as these Like an
electric spark, this saying Few through the
entire host, aud when, that very night orders
came 10 tall back upon BoTodinO not muir
muir was heard, though, had such command
been given only % hours earlier, II would, IN
al probability, have resulted IN open mutlny'
We an know how, on the l4th Of September,
the French entered Moscow, only 10 hnd IL IN
flames and deserted, and now Ia less Than q
month during which time provisions aDd
nearly all other necessities OF lie had been
hacking, while ovcrtures for pence had boon
met Nv q stern rejection and the declaration OF
She Emperor Alexander j. that his soldiers
0hould never Law down their arms so long Rs
fhere remained one armed Frcnchman upon
Russian soil. commenced that disastrous re-
treat during which sick, dead, and dying were
left alike indiscriminatey upon the roads TO an
feet and pollute the air for many month AFTER
ward.
II was one day when the French army was
in fan retreat, aud the Russian forces, pressing
close upon their heels had halted for BRIEF
FepOse, that the white-haired Commander- IN
Chief seated on a rough bench before the lzbar
shat served as his temporary headquarters
was busily occupied in overlooking the yolu-
minOus correspondence which he had just re-
oeyed by courier from St. Petersburg.
At q respectful distance stood group Of
officers, who were eagerly watching their Com
nander's face, each one hoping that has name
might be mentioned In some one OF those many
official papers.
The marks Of interest deepened visibly rs
with an amused glance az the anxious cOunte-
hances Prince koutouzof exclaimed:
Il have something here, gentlemen, which
may interest you" but were quickly succeeded
by looks OF blank wonderment as he added with
aslight smile, cit is present from our beloved
Ivan Andreiyitch Kriloff;+ his latest poem. 1t
n called The Wolf IN the Kennel" Let me
know what you think Of it," and smoothing
out a sheet OF crumbed blue writng-paper, the
Prince, who from his youth had been both
fne reader and q most accomplished actor,
commenced in clear, distinct tones that fable
whatever age or station, is familiar. 30 1t
runs:
THE WOLF IN THE KENNEL.
A wolf one night thinking 10 enter a sheepfolo,
Pound himself suddenly fast Ia kennels
AZ tie dogs sprRug instantly 40 their ieet
Seeing their quarrelsome gray enemy 50 close al
Tie n.asliffs. oroucling 81 their corners, bsrkod
aud prepared 10 attack the stranger.
The huntsman cried Aiack, my children. .
thiefih
InAtviuEiing the gates were bolicd,
And ilIal instant tie kennel became q he'll.
AL rnui OHc with club
Another with gun.
Light" they cried, light" Lights were
Ny vol seated himself, squeezing close back into
Fis teeth chaiterinR and Ills hair Oh end
HE eyes looking AS though lac would like 10 eai
them all
Bui, seeing lie had now no flock Of sheep befor,
him,
And liGt the time had finally come when he mus
give account Of lis many misdougs,
Re called all his cunning 10 hs aid,
And prepared 20 open negotiations.
Dc commenced thus: Sly friends, why al thii
coInuioion9
j, gour Old EiHsnIHn and gossip,
Have come 10 make my peace with you, and no
Lei us forget tie past and from hencciorth live 10
gcther in harmony
And promise not Only that never 81 future viii
touch one OF your number,
But ] HwsHr 10 defend you, should see you a.
lacked Ds othelhs
And assure you. OF the faith 81 wolf
1ilRi -" l.isteu ueRiibor"
interrupted the shrcwd hunter mi this point,
You are gray, but J. my friend am grsyer.n-
Here Koutouzof, standing suddenly erect
lifted his red bOrdCred military CAP, aud point
ting silently 10 the slyery locks which lac Ror
brushed up and back from his forehead, re
Gnmed with great fire and force Of expression
And TIE many long year nince ] learned thor
oughiy 10 understand q wolfs nature,
And because 81 tlIBt. ID IS habit 81 mine
Never 10 make peace with one % your kind
Before holding his skin in my hand"
VIII these words lac lei loose upon tIe wolf tie eI
tire kennel.
The officers had hardly waited Tor the Primo
" pronounce the last words before breakin
into vehement and enthusiastic applause which
being taken up by the soldiers beyond. 500
tweled into frantic cries Of Hurrah, hurral
Tor tie Savior OF Russia q"
Not for me not for me, those cheers!
cried KoutonEoh stepping hastily onto oh
bench near which be had been standin,
Then raising his cap. and waving ID with youtl
Co. ardor above his gray head, he shouted !
ale clarion tones which his ncn were wont
hear above the roar aud din Of the battle:
+" Not for me my children! But hurrah an
burrah again for the Russian soldiers VII
have driven the gray wolf starving from the
door
szoutouEoff shows himself the French will a
flcasHutE cottage.
THE Ia Fontaine" Of Russia