Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-08-25
CHAPTER T.
IN THE GOsTINNO1-DyOR,

here VIII 1 Dulld window through
which can look into Europe" exclaimed
he beheld the drcary and desolnte marshes
through which flowed the sluggish Neva,
and where the heron and the bittern piped
and doomed in the keen Attic blasts
And i'll accordance with the Imperial
edict. there arose the stately city of ST.
Petersburg, the stage on which this drama
OF passion and plot commences. Peter
was an autocratic despot, and thousands of
his. poor subjects died in rearing his city,
and the suffering and the misery We're un-
utterable. But it was all endured in sill
God and the CIR" st. Petersburg is
strange city, full fcontradictiols. and if
one sought tor Il smile to tvpiiy it, not an
inapt one would be-a casket. gilt and fair
seeming on the exterior. but full of rotten
ness and corruption within.
Generations have passed since the found
CIR OF the marsh city went down into the
dust from whence he sprang but his "wn-
dow" remains and it is in st. Petersburg
that the pulse OF all the Russians beats.
"The voice Of the Lord cried aloud upon
the waters, saying: Come hitler and re-
ceive the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of I'M
Outstanding, and Of the fear of the Lord of
Christ who is manifested unto u.s."
Thus chant the priests when on the festi-
val OF Epiphania they go to bless the Neva,
which Tor thirteen miles winds its way
llS 1ulpeIlal CITY, anu every true
Russian believes that it is in St. Petersburg
that the spirit Of wisdom, the spirit OF I'M
ders,anding and the fear Of the Lord of
Christ" abideth. Presently we shall see to
what extent the belief is justified.
Come we now to this City of the Marshes.
ter still grips the earth, as if reluctant to
let go its hold. But there's hope in the west
ering sun, which, slowly sinking, casts long,
slanting shadows across the rippling waters,
and the grim pile, so full of bitter memoir
les, and known as the Fortress OF ST. Peter
towers. its chimneys and its embrasured
battlements, stands out like a painted
picture, as all its angles and outlines are
brought into sharp relief against the pale
green sky which is such marked feature
OF the strange Russian climate. Some day.
people will rise in their might and sweep
this. accursed place from the face OF the
land, even as the angry multitude in
France hurled the Bastile to the ground.
St. Peter and Paul is the Russian Bastile.
The groans OF its victims so up to the
Redeemed with the blood OF those who
have been done to death in the name of
God and the Car.
Through the Gostinnoi- dvor. or Great
Bazaar, walks in stately pride Aaron
Arama. He has been transactlng business,
turning to his home where a wc!"ome
awaits him. and where beauty shines like a
northern star of the first magnitude on a
night of frosty splendor.
who is that MANI" asks a stranger to
the city of companion, as Aaron passes
them.
"a Jew" is the contemptuous answer,
accompanied by an expectoration, as if the
mere utterance of the word Jew had de-
filed his mouth.
by St. Pc Peter ter; - that is $; manifest
questioner; land one t that hath H
wealth, I'll warrant, and who squeezes the
poor even as he would drain a sponge"
"Aye. truly. it is so,' answered the
speakers companion.
1T is strange that our Little Father, the
all-powertul Car, permits these accursed
s:cued the first man. Were the Car, 1
would command throughout the Empire
Death TO the Jews be a watchword, and
these unbelievers should be snitten hip
and'thigh."
Aaron Arama, who had overheard the
conversation, paused in his walk, and
turning, laced the speakers. He was
picturesque, almost majestic figure. Tall
and straight, with noble head
and face full of dignity and BEAM
ing with intelligence A long, flowing
white beard gave him patriarchal ap-
skullcap he wore his grey locks depended
to his shoulders. He was attired in cat
tan or long cloak edged with fur. for
though it was June the air was still raw
and cold during the afternoons and even
ings.
Wherefore should my race be smitten?"
he asked in commanding voice that was
full and resonant as deep-toned bell.
Fur eighteen hundred years my people
have suffered and been tortured by you
Christians who prowl about us like wolves,
thirsting for our blood. We have been
patient under our Affections, silent IN spite
OF our torture; yet have you prosecuted US.
Our sobbing and our tears, ar:l the wall
of our women and our children might have
wrung pity from statues but men who like
ourselves are flesh and blood, and created
by God. have in the name of the All Pow
erful inflicted upon us wrongs and suffer-
ings at which Heaven itself has wept.
Shame ON you. Go you to your homes and
pray that you MAY be forgiven" He paus-
ed for moment; then raising his hands he
cried, with startling impressiveness: "God
ofvengeance, wherefore doth Thy wrath
sleep? How long shall our people groan
beneath their wrongs? What are the
should be ground into the dust, and our
blood split as if it were water? Answer. o
wait Tor sign
LOG OF jew SneereQ the man who
had answered his friends question.
Preach not to US; we are Christians"
And barbarians." Added Aaron Arama.
"a curse on you. /" cried the second man,
passionately, and making menncing
moyementtowardsth the Jew. You pollute
the land. and should be swept from It's
face"
s.Down with the Jew!'' cried several an
cry voices in the crowd that had collected
around, attracted by the alteration, and
the mob began to press upon Aaron with
the evident design of hustling him; but
raising his right hand heavenward, ne ex-
claimed
HE who respects not the grey hair. of
honorable age will assuredly be accused.
The God OF Abraham and the God OF Isaac
will protect me- Back, I say, lest your
arms fall palsied at your side, and your
knocking tongues grow dumb forever, as
the wrath Of the Lord q hurled against
you."