Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-13

Several people rushed to the spot
Anissia among them.
1t was plain to be seen that she wa.
under the influence of drink. Hurriedly
untying the rope, she began to cares
Nikita, and to heap terms of endear-
ment upon him, but he turned from he,
in horror.
"Look, look. he blurted out "Look al
her; what a spectacle. My drunken
wife! Must kill her, too? 1t looks like
it. feel it in my heart"
"What's this nonsense you re talking?''
whispered Anfssia, clutching him by the
arm. ado you want to disgrace us all?
Come back to the wedding. EVERYTHING
is going splendidly; everybody is drunk
and happy. Come back and give the
blessing. It's almost time; you fool,
can't you see that your nonsense is ruin
ing matters. Come; I'm, a bit unsteady
myself, but can help you along"
Nikita repulsed the proffered hand
and drew back as if he dreaded to have
Anissia lay hold of him.
mo, no." he cried out "I'm not so
drunk as that You go back alone. I'll
come presently and give the blessing.
Go, tell YOU"
AS Anissia drew near the house she
was somewhat startled at not hearing
the singing and the notes Of the concer-
tina A strange and sudden silence
seemed to have fallen upon the place.
What could it mean? With a wildly
beating heart she burst into the house
There on her knees in the center of the
room was the child Aniutka, her ewes
wandering with wild, vacant stare,
Her hands were clasped as if in prayer,
and the bright-colored ribbons which
had been tied in her hair hung in disor-
der upon her shoulders. 1t was heart
rending sight, and some of the Younger
guests rushed hOrrOr-stricken from the
room. The moment Aniutka set eyes upon
her mother she sprang up and made a
wild dash toward her. Nncircling her
with her arms and burying her face in
the folds OF her dress, crying out as she
did so in tones so agonizing as to blanch
the faces OF the men present
"Oh mother, mother. hide me, hide
me, for God will not listen to me. He
will not take pity on me. Oh, look,
look, it's coming again-up out of the
celiar-the ghost, the ghost, how pale
and white it is-it lives in the hole that
papa dug down there. Save me. save
me, mother, don't let it touch NELL
die II 1t touches me. Dear, good God.
drive the ghost out of our house-drive
it away"
"She's bewitched, that's ALL" cried
Matrlona "a little warm wine will
bring her out of the fit. ="
The child was led into another room
and taken charge of by several of the
oder women, while Anissia and Matri-
ona eXerted themselves to the utmost to
bring mirth and gayety back to the we'd
ding feast.
by dint OF generous draughts .of wine.
and by calling upon the guests to sing
the merriest song that could be chosen.
all thoughts of Aniutka's ghost were
soon chased away: but curse seemed
to be set upon the house built by Farmer
Peter. and as fast as one terrible scene
came to close another was ready for
enactment
Scarcely had the old woman succeeded
in druggng the child Aniutka into ST.
lence when Nikita's voice, sharp and
angry and yet strangely measured and
determined, sounded in the doorway.
NAY, nay, father" it cried, 81 will
not listen-you must go in-I will not
give the blessing unless you are there.
Come along, come along" and Nikita
burst in upon the astOniShed guests,
dragging his old father by the arm.
ats high time you showed YOURSELF"
said one of the guests, presenting the
holy image to Nikita, who had halted in
the center of the room and was glancing
from one guest to another "Come, give
your blessing like a sensible mani"
But the words seemed to fall upon
deaf ears.
"Stop that singing!" he cried out stern
y: then his face lighted up. and there
was a strange sadness in his voice as he
added:
"Ah, Marina, you are here. And you.
too, AkOOlina." Then, dropping into a
seat, he began drawing his boots off
"Look," whispered Anssia to Matr-
ona. turning pale, "the man has lost his
senses. He, too, is bewitched.
"Bewtched?" repeated Matriona. mo,
it's the French wine: it always acts that
way with a brandy drnkcr"
"Ah, father" continued Nikita, appar-
entity unconscious of the scene he was
creating, II rejoice to see you here, and
you, too, worthy officer of the law. I'll
begin with you. Uriadnik. behold me
at your feet"
"Nikitushka, darling--are you clean
gone, man?" whispered Anissia, making
a violent effort to lift him from his
knees "For Gods sake, come out of
your fit"
Officer of the law!" exclaimed Nikita.
q uiiOy "iCtSu COIucS VI TIA nc IuII con-
"Dear friends, come, help me take him
away" cried Matriona. ~My son has
lost his reason-it's not right to have |
him here"
"Out of my way, woman!" came from
Nikita "I've had enough of you! Father, |
draw near be a witness for mel" Then |
throwing himself upon his knees in front !
Df Marina, he murmured in voice |
with an awful grief: "Marina, !
ook upon the guilty wretch who
you-who broke his sacred
promise to God and man! Look upon
him, and may the dear Lord move your
heart to forgive him."
Marina covered her face with her
hands, her bosom heaved and she turned
away to her husband. who reached out .
his hand to her.
"IIow long must this stupid business
be kept up?" cried Anissia, putting on
bold face. 'Come out into the open air,
for Gods sake, Nikitushka!"
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