The Dickinson press., 1892-08-27

T/N3A
CHAPTERI
IN TIE GosTINNoI-DvoR.
>"Here will l build a window through
which / can look into Europe" exclaimed
he beheld the dreary and desolate marshes
through which flowed the sluggish Neva,
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 autocratic despot, and thousands OF
his poor subjects died i'll rearing his city,
and the suffering and the misery were UNI
utterablc. But it was all endured in sill
encc, for the people toiied and died 'For
God and the y ir." st. Petersburg is a
strange city, full ofcontradictions, and il
inapt one would be-a caskct: gilt and fair
seeming on the exterior. but full of rotten
ness and corruption within.
Generations have passed since the found
or OF the marsh city. went down into the
dust from whence he sprang, but his ".win-
dow" remains, and it is in st. Petersburg
that the pulse OF all the Russians BEATS.
the waters, saying: Come hit,cr and re-
ceive the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of un-
derstandiAg, and oftlic fear Of the Lord of
Christ, who is manifested unto u.s."
Thus chant the priests when or the festi-
val OF Epiphanin they go to bless the Ncva,
which Tor thirteen miles winds its way
through the Imperial city. and every true
P,coiop bo1i.vos that ~ 10 IN 81 pnfarc1i,rp
that the spirit OF wisdom, the spirit OF UNI
Christ" abideth. Presently we shall see to
what extent the belief is justified.
Come we nowt to this City of the Marshes.
1t is an early June day, andtl:e boreal win
ter still grips the earth, as if reluctant to
let go its hold. But thcreis hope in the west
slanting shadows across the ripping waters,
and tho grim pile, SO full OF bitter memoir
les, and known as the Fortress Of st. Peter
and Paul. with its gilt spire, its
towers, its chimneys, and its e1nbrasured
battlements, stands out like n painted
picture, as all its angles and outlines are
brought into sharp relief against the pale
green sky which is such a marked feature
OF the strange Russian climate. Some day.
in the not iar-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
redeemed with the blood OF those who
have been lone to death in the name of
God and the Car.
Through the Gostinnoi-d vor, or Great
Bazaar, walks in stately pride Aaron
Arama. He has been transactlng business,
and thoughtful and c%ontemplative he is re-
turning 10 his home. where a welcome
awaits him, and where beauty shines like a
northern star of the first magnitude on q
night of frosty splendor.
"Who is that mani" asks a stranger to
the city of a companion, as Aaron passes
them.
"a Jew" is the contemptuous answer,
mere utterance of the word Jew had de-
filed his mouth.
in by his st. b esfs5i that exclaimed ls %an'1 shs
questioner; "and one tina hath
wealth, I'll warrant. and who squeezes the
poor even as he would drain q SPONGE"
"Aye, truly. it is 3d." answered the
speakers companion.
ut is strange that our Little Father, the
all-powerful Car, permits these accursed
Jews to find shelter in Holy Russia" con-
tinued the first man. '.Wcre l the Gar, I
would command throughout the Empire
Death TO the Jews be a watchword, and
these mnbelievers should be smitten hip
and thigh"
Aaron Arama, who had overheard the
conversation, paused in his walk. and
turning, laced the speakers. He was a
and straight, with a noble head
and a face full of dignity and BEAM
ing with intelligence. A long, flowing
white beard gave him a patriarchal APP
pearance, and from the edge of the black
to his shoulders. He was attired i'll a 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.
"Wheretore should my race be smitten?"
he asked in a commanding voice that was
full and resonant es a deep-toned bell.
For eighteen hundred years my, people
h have suffered and been tortured by you
thirsting for u blood. We have been
patient under our Affections, silent IN spite
OF our torture; yet llave you prosecuted us.
Our sObbinR and our tears, ara the vail
OF GU 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 nt the All Pow
NPSh ~ NAobSo uAlu
ings at which Heaven itself nag wept.
Shame on you. Go you to your homes and
pray that you may be forgiven" He paus.
ed tor a moment; then raising his hands lie
cried, with startling impressivencss: "God
OF vengeance,. wherefore doth Thy wrath
sleep? How long shall our people groan
beneath their wrongs? What are the
should be ground into the dust, and oul
blood split as if it were water? Answer, {
Lord, for long have We suffered, and W.
wait for a sign"
Dog OF a Jew!" sneered the man whit
had answered his friends question
And barbarians" Added Aaron Arama
"a curse on you" cried the second man
movement ws ads the hea JeWe aYo %e polin,'
the land. and should be swept from :.
face"
"Down with the Jew!" cried several an
cry voices in the crowd that had COLLECTED
around, attracted by the alteration, AM
the evident design of hustling him; bu
raising his right hand heavenward, he ex
claimed
He who respects not the grey hair O
honorable age will assuredly be accused
The God OF Abraham and the God of Isaa
will protect me: Back, l say, lest you
knocking tongues grow dumb forever, q
the wrath OF the Lord Is hurled agains
you"
He spoke like inspired. and h
dark eyes were filled with the anger-fre
indignation and wounded pride. Some
those who crowded about Elm were SO in
pressed by his stately bearing and con
handing that they seemed awe,
and recoiled away. Bnt Others again ice
ed and laughed, calling them towards, an
asking
Wherefore are you afraid of a Jew
Know you not that in our Little Father
land lev Lafh NOT 60 n,,,nh .,al,.a a..