The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1892-08-04

he beheld the dreary and desolate marshes
through which flowed the sluggish Neya,
and where the heron and the bittern piped
and doomed in the keen Artic blasts.
And in 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 autoeratic despot, aud thousands OF
his poor subjects died in rearing his city,
and the suffering and the misery were I'M
utterablc. But it was all endured in sill
ence, Tor the people toised and died For
God and the Cur" st. Petersburg IS Q
strange city, full of contradictions, and 1t
one sought for smile to typify it, not an
inapt ore 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
er of the marsh city went down into the
dust from whence he sprang, but his win
dow" remains, and it is i'll st. Petersburg
that the pulse OF all the Russians beats.
The voice of the Lord cried aloud upon
the waters, saying: Come hither and re-
ceiye the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of I'M
Outstanding, and ofthe fear of the Lord of
Christ, who is manifested unto us.
Thus chant the priests when on the testt"
val of Epiphania they go to bless the NeVa
Which for thirteen miles winds its way
through the Imperial city, and every true
Russian believes that it is in st. Petersburg
that the spirit of wisdom, the spirit OF un-
deys 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.
1t is an early June day, and the boreal win
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 ripping waters,
and the grim pile SO full of bitter memor-
les, and known as the Fortress OF st. Peter
and Paul, with its gilt spire, its
battlements, stands out like o 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.
in the not 1ar-distant future the crushed
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 go up to the
Throne of Grace, and its stones are
redeemed with the blood OF those who
have been done to death in the name OF
God and the Gar.
Throu,h the Gostinnoi-dvor, or Great
Bazaar walks in stately pride Aaron
Arama. He has been transactlng business,
and thoughtful and contemplatiye he.is re-
turning 10 his home, where a welcome
awaits him, and where beauty shines like a
northern star of the first magnitude OH a
night of frosty splendor.
"Who is that man?" asks 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.
DoAo - - Fo,r
in his bearing, exclaimed the
questioner; land one that hath
wealth, III 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 poWer.ul Gar, permits these accused
tinued the first man. Were l the Gar, 1
would command throughout the Empire
Death 10 the Jews be watchwOrd, and
these unbelievers should be smitten hip
and thigh"
conversation, paused i'll his walk, and
turning, laced the speakers. He was q
picturesque, almost majestic figure. Tall
and a face full of dignity and beam
ing with intelligence. A long, flowing
white beard gave him patriarchal APP
pearance, and from the edge of the black
skulcap he wore his grey locks depended
tan or long cloak edged with fur. fol
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 a commanding voice that was
full and resonant as a deep-toned bell.
For 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, and the wal
| 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 anG
| pray that you may be forgiven" He paus
| ed Tor a moment; then raising his hands ht
| cried, with startling impressiyeness: "GoC
! OF vengeance, wherefore doth Thy wratl
| sIeep2 How long shall our people groar
beneath their wrongs? What are thu
| crimes that we have committed that W.
| should be ground into the dust, and GU
blood split as if it were water? Answer. {
| Lord, for long have we suffered, and W.
wait :or a sign"
DOG of Jew!" sneered 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 a menacins
| movement towards the Jew "You pollutt
the land and should be swept from it
| Ia e."
Down with the Jew!" cried several an
| int no md hot cd or
| around, attracted by the alteration, ant
the mob began to press upon Aaron will
the evident design of hustling him; blu
raising his right hand heayenward, he ex
| claimed:-
"He who respects not the grey hair Q
| honorable age will assuredly be accused
| The God o! Abraham and the God of Isaa
| will protect me. Back, | say, lest you
arms fall palsicd at your side, and you
| knocking tongues grow dumb forever, q
the wrath OF the Lord is hurled agains
you."
lie spoke like one inspired and hi
dark eyes were filed with the anger-fire O
| Indignation and wounded pride. Some o
| tl.osc who crowded about him were SO i'm
pres ed by his stately bearing and com
| handing manner that they seemed awed
and recoiled away. But others again ieer
ed and laughed, calling them towards, an,
asking;-
| = w neTelOIG are you dIdlu VI jew
Know you not that in our Little Father
land Jew hath not so much value as
swine? II you kill swine that belongs no
to you the judges will exact a fine bu
what judge will fine you for killing
jew"
This argument told, and the angry swell
ing of the voices of the josting crowd wa
like the moan of the sea in the rising win
it presaged mischief. Tie people close
about the old man. and one pIucked hi
beard and another snatched oil the ca
that covered his head.
'tShame on you, children c
ignorance and stupidity" he cried q
calm and defiant he lowered abov
his tormentors. Know you not that fo
thirty -iive years | have lived in this city q
an honorable citizen; lived in peace an
harmony With all my fellows, Christia
and Jew alike, and have molested II
mann"
@Yop have taken usurer's interest, erie
ono.
''Tis false, answered Aaron. II len
not my moneys. am q trader
"Afd cheat the Christian, put in anatl
er.