The herald., 1898-11-01
CAR IVAN'SADVfNTURf

The car Ivan, who reigned over Russia
about the middle of the sixteenth century,
frequently went out disguised, in order to
discover the opinion which the people enter
tanned of his administration.
One day in solitary walk near Moscow
he entered small village, and, pretending
to be overcome by fatigue, he implored relief
from several of the inhabitants. His dress
was ragged, his appearance mean, and, what
ought to have excited the compassion of the
| villagers, and insured his reception, was
| productive of refusal.
Full OF indignation at such inhuman treat
ment, he was just going to leave the place,
when he perceived another habitation to
which he not as yet applied for aid. It
was the poorest cottage in the village. The
emperor hastened to it and knocked at the
door. A peasant opened it and asked him
what he wanted.
Il am almost dying with fatigue and hun,
ger" answered the czar. Can you give
| me a lodging for one nght?"
| ALAS" said the peasant, taking him by
the hand; "you will have but poor fare.
| You are at an unlucky time. My wife is
about to become mother; but come in,
come in. You will at least be sheltered from
the cold, and such as we have you are well
The peasant then made the czar enter
little room full of children. In cradle were
two infants sleeping soundly; girl three
years old was sleeping on rug near the era
die, while her two sisters, the one 5 years
and the other 7 years old, were crying and
praying to heaven for their mother, who was
in a room adjoining
"Stay here" said the peasant to the car
II will go and get something for your sup
|per."
He went out and soon returned with some
black bread, eggs and honey.
"You see all / have to give you," said the
D0aSant. won are Welcome to art a Ea of II
with my children-I must go to my wife"
| Your charity, your hospitality" said the
czar, "must bring down blessings upon your
house. l am sure heaven will reward your
goodness"
pray to heaven, my good FRIEND" re-
piled the peasant; pray to heaven that my
wife may get well. That is all wish for"
"And that is all you wish, my friend, to
make you happy"
Happy! Judge for yourself. l have five
fine children, dear wife that loves me, Il
father and mother, both in health, and my
labor is sufficient to support them all.
do your father and mother live with
your
Yes; they are in the next room with my
wife"
But, your cottage here is 50 very SMALL
1T is large enough; 1T can hold us all"
"The peasant then went to his wife, who
an hour after was happily past all danger.
Her husband, in transport CT Joy, brought
the newborn child to the czar.
Look" said he, what a fine, hearty
child he isl May heaven preserve him as 1t
hath my Others"
The czar took the infant in his arms and
said: Il know, from the physiognomy OF
this child, that ne will be quite fortunate ,
he will arrive, l AM certain, at great eni-
nence."
The peasant awoke at the break of day,
and his guest, taking leave of him, said II
must go to Moscow, my friend. l am ac-
qualnted there with very benevolent man,
to whom l shall take care to mention your
kind treatment OF me. l can prevail upon
him to stand godfather to your child.
Promise me, therefore, that you will wait
Tor Inc, that L may be present at the
christening. will be back in three hours at
farthest."
The peasant, in the good nature of his
heart, consented to the stranger request.
Ihe three hours were soon gone, and no
body appeared. The peasant, therefore, fol-
lowed by his family, was preparing to carry
his child to church; but as he was leaving
his cottage he heard on a sudden the tramp
ing of horses and the rafting OF many vehi-
cles.
tude OF horses and train OF splendid car
riages. lie knew the imperial guards, and
instantly called his family to come and see
the emperor 60 by. The horsemen and car
riages soon formed a circular line, and at
last the state coach OF the czar stopped op-
posite the good peasants door. The guards
kept back the crowd, which the hopes of
seeing their sovereign had collected to-
gether.
The czar alighted, and, advancing to his
host, thus addressed him: Il promised you
a godfather l have come to fulfill my
pledge. Give me your child and follow me
TO church"
The peasant stood like statue; in this
profusion of pomp he could not discover the
poor stranger who had laid all night with
him upon the straw. The emperor silently
enjoyed his perplexity, and then addressed
HIM thus:
Yesterday you performed the duties of
humanity; today l am come to discharge
the most faithful duty of sovereign-of re-
compensing virtue. 1 shall not remove you
from situation to which you do so much
honor, and the innocence and tranquility
OF which l envy; but you shall have numer-
Gus hocks. rich pastures and house that
will enable you to exercise the duties OF
hospitality with pleasure. Your newborn
child shall be my ward; for you may remem-
ber," continued the emperor, smiling, "that
| prophesed he would be fortunate"
The car faithfully observed his engage
ment, caused the boy to be educated in his
palace, provided amply for his future set
tlement in life and continued ever after to
heap favors upon the virtuous peasant and
his family.--London Evening News.
! ~
Miller Relieved