Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-04-16
CHAPTER |.

What do you think? Is It good
or badY' The questioner was little
fellow seven or eight years of age, and
the question was propounded to his own
shadow on the wall, for other company
he had none. He stood just within the
half open door of the basement corritor
cf the convent church of St Catherine
The corridor led into one of the numer-
ous rooms set apart by the fathers for
certain of their workmen and few priv
ileged poor of both sexes 1t adjoined
the receiving vault, and the voice of tine
priest chanting the funeral prayers might
be distinctly heard by anyone passing
along the corridor.
The little questiouer had not asked him
self the question apropos OF nothing. His
whole heart had been in the effort that
had called it forth He had been prac-
tsing alone, and, as he supposed, quite
unseen, the Russian national dance-a
lively dance indeed, and one demanding
infinite agility. Pausing second to take
lreath he asked himself the momentous
question, Good or badY and catching
sight of his shadow on the wall he hal
added, what do you Think" 81 say
good, for sure, " he shouted, as he ran out
of the door, through the great gates and
into the place NJ chel. where, turnin"
sharply and suddenly, he seemed to drop
into the earth and disappear. He had
only descended, with one plunge, the
steep flight of stone steps leading down
into chandlcr's shop, where cucumbers
and black bread were to be procured
well as tallow candies and pottery of all
kinds.
"A pound OF black bread" he de-
manded, in clear, ringing tones. While
waiting for it, With snap of his fingers
and an involuntary movement of his inn
patient and restless feet, Good, very
good, l think" he whispered to himself
Good, very good" he again repeated
a'ound, as the pound of black bread was
thrust towards him.
"Of course it is good" " said the shop
man. Take it and be off. "
Tie boy laughed merrily as he flew up
the stone steps, looking back an instant
before he disappeared to show n saucy
face to the merchant and singing blithely
as he dashed back through the stone cor
dor and into room, small dark and
clost.
The day was gloriously bright thou IN
bitterly cold, and the boy was in high
spirits, though for what reason he could
not have told. His young blood was
dancing in his veins his feet keeping
time to some inward melody, and his blue
eyes sparkling with glee.
He had hardly time to lay down the
black bread when he hears heavy step
He springs to open the door.
Here it is, my Dyada," ard he points
to the loaf my Dyada," (my uncle) he
pronouuces in caressing tone, with
little emphasis on the pronoun that is
very touching to hear
MY Dyada" takes the loaf and cuts
one generous slice, aud one small one;
taen, sprinkling both literally with
coarse salt, he begins his breakfast
Take the big one this morning, Dyada;
it is too much for me-"
Dyada shakes his head and goes on eat
ing, or pretending to eat. The boy
makes no pretence, and eats his portion
as he does everything, quickly, promptly
and begins to busy himself about the
room, though there is nothing to do,
nothing to arrange, nothing to put away.
"GavreelW
"Here | am, my Dyada."
Dyada was fumbling in his pockets
He was old, partially paralyzed, and con-
sequently very slow in his movements.
"Gavreel, kneel down"
Gavreel obeyed, and Dyada placed his
trembling hand upon his head. Had the
boy looked up he would have seen tears
in the dim old eyes; but he did not look
up
"Gavceel," at length spoke the old man,
81 mUst lCav. you for n day or two. This
money is fer your bread; and the watch
mans wife has promised me to give you
a bowl of soup each day. You are to. go
to her for it. Hold out your hand"
Gavreel held out his hand, and Dyada
counted into it five kopecks, the price OF
two pounds of bread.
"Will yuu take care of the place till
return, and be Il good boy, Gavreel9"
"Yes, my Dyada; but would it not be
better if you were to take me along with
your"
'Impossible Gavreel Surely you will
not be afraid to stay alone one night,
two at mosty'
No, Gavreel would not be afrail, but
he would b. very lonesome.
81 will come back soon az I can, dear.
Be good and brave. Lock the door when,
ever you go out; let no one enter, and
bring no one in with you till my returI.
Go into the church in the morning ii you
are cold"
Gavre.l promise all these things. and
followed Dyada to the door and out into
the courtyard of the church. He would
have gone on still further had not Dyada
sent him back.
He would have plenty of time to prac
tise his steps now; and he did till he was
tired, for there was a strong spirit OF
rivalry raging in the hearts of the boys of
the court MS to who should best dance the
trepaka. He danced till he was so tired
that he fell asleep on Dyada's bed; and
when he awoke it was SO dark that he did
not know for certain whether it was not
the middle OF the night.
Presently he heard knocking at the
door, and voice calling him. 1t was the
watchman, who, true to his work, had
come to look after him.
"Hey, what, asleep in the middle OF the
afternoonl Why didn't you come foi
your plate of soup youngst ter?'
Gavreel rubbed his eyes and looked up
in the mans face, smiling the while
Come, come" said the kind, rough
voice; there's little left in the bottom
of the pot yet" and he led him away tc
his own room, a larger and lighter one
than Dyada's, and made him eat the