The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-06
THE GOLDEN PARTRIDGE.

In the dark, gloomy north of the frozen
zone there was situated in the White sea
large island called Duran, on which were
rocky mountains covered with pine trees.
About the center of the island there stood
shanty made Of thick wooden logs, having
small windows of flint glass or crystal,
which in winter were thickly covered with
ice and snow. This shanty afforded shelter
for young Russian peasant, Ivan Pastou-
Khoff, and his wife Olga-both refugees
from the prosecutions of Ivan the Terrible
in the great Novgorod republic. Their I'M
eventful life flowed on quietly and happily.
Ivan was strong and broad shouldered and
passed his time in hunting reindeer, black
bears, foxes, beavers, martins ermine, elks
and various kinds of BIRDS such as black
grouse, cartridges, ducks, 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 employed also for sIedge rid
ing and for carrying wood and various 9th
er necessaries. ASiberian dog, Vaska, and
large white Siberian cat completed the
happy family.
Olga, a tall, powerful woman of fair
complexion, with long, faXen hair, was il
dustrious and made their little home as
comfortable as possible by covering the
walls and floor with bear and reindeer
skins, While Ivan was hunting, she went
fishing, and from the product of her hook
and line she made delicious bokha Soup.
Her husband brought home game to roast
in the big stone oven. Their days were
passed pleasantly and their evenings in
singing songs and telling stories of the
glorious republic of Noygorod-its vietches,
or public assemblies-and its fall (under
the reign of Ivan I'D, absent relatives and
friends also coming in for share in the
conversation.
Once fierce snow storm ragged for many
days and their supply of food was nearly
exhausted, when Ivan suggested that he
put on his snowShoes and 20 to the woods
and see if any birds had been ensnared in
his traps, of which he had many set in diff
ferent places, and saying at the same tina
that Olga had better try if she could catch
few fish. So Ivan put on his long snow
shoes and went to the forest and Olga pro-
ceeded to the seashore but alas! both re-
turned empty handed in the evening and
there was nothing to cook for supper.
Olga was greatly depressed and scarcely
looked at Ivan, who related to her peculiar
story of how, on examining his traps, he
found them all empty until ne came to the
last one-and it contained golden kourO-
patka or partridge, the most beautiful bird
he had ever seen, and which had begged
him-oh, so pitifully-to spare her life and
give her her freedom, saying:
''If there is anything you wish for coma
and say, My handsome partridge, turn
your smiling face and listen to me-"
You big fool" shouted the Infatuated
Olga; "now we have nothing for supper,
and partridge would have been just the
thing. If you so tomorrow to meet your
golden partridge | am sure you will find
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 the
wolves in the woods, made him feel still
more depressed and he longed for morning
to come that he might leave for awhile his
unhappy home. Rising early, he took
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 for
you, Ivanushka?" she said.
Ivan replied, I'VE have no food, and my
wife is both hungry and angry and viii
not speak TO me-"
Go home" she said land you will find
everything you require to eat and drink"
When Ivan returned to his home he
found table in the middle of the room
| heavily laden with caviare, different kinds
of meat, fruits, wines, liquors, pirogs,
! blinni cakes and preserves. Olga met him
with a smiling face, saying:
my dear Ivanushka, we have every
thing we want TO eat and drink. Your
golden partridge sent it. 1t is like mer-
chants life-full of everything; only that
we now want better home, Since your
bird has been so kind ask her il she cannot
get US better horns to live in"
Ivan again visited the bird and on COM
ing home was greatly surprised TO see a
beautiful large house surrounded by lovely
gardens. On entering he was still more
| surprised TO see luxurious furniture, large
mirrors, and servants in attendance upon
his wife in the dining room, where an ele-
CANT repast had been spread. The table
/ appointments were superb and comprised
profusion OF gold and silver dishes and
snowy linen. Still unsatisied, Olga said:
| Now, Ivanushka, you must go and ask
the bird for better dresses and handsome
ornaments, with nice boots of real skin
/ having golden designs OF the finest pattern;
also a sarafan, 10 be of cloth-ot-gold, hand
/ somelY embroidered"
| Ivan again wendell MS way to the bird,
1 and his wife's wishes were fully satisfied,
+ for when he reached home he found ner IN
beautiful peasant dress profusely orna-
mented with precious stones, and her
/ fingers covered with diamonds OF the
I purest water.
! Are YOU satisfied now, my darling"
1 asked Ivan.
YES, Ivanushka," answered Olga; but
+ now l would Ike % be a merchant wife
/ instead Of peasants"
| The next day Ivan was made merchant,
and his wite's desire was gratlhed, and
memo Of the merchants guild came
/ from far and near % congratulate her upon
( her newly acquired dignity.
/ Ivan again asked: Are you still zDsatls-
fed. my dear olga"
Yes" sis replied. 81 would Ike 70 b.
come a bovzrlnia mobile vifel. surrounded
By many servants, and 20 associate only
/ with the nobility. They have hsnosener
dresses. wear coronets and possess coats Of
arms. Go, ny dear, and ask your golden