The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-01-31

thing more than the scent of new
mown hay and pine--a flavor so COM
mon on o July day in Northern Russia.
The grown people said: 'The at
mosphere ia impregnated with elec-
tricity," and although we boys of
twelve and. thirteen years did not
know what that really meant, we were
sure that, sooner or later, storm
would come, for the old shepherd had
said so, and he always told the truth.
In the afternoon black cloud rose
over the horizon in the northeast.
An hour later dark bank covered
half the sky, and we heard the far
away rumbling of thunder.
Rain began to fall in large drops
and we, standing on the grass-cov-
cred porch. amused ourselves in
watching the chickens run, the ducks
dive in the pond, the workmen hurry
homo and the cattle rush for the
stables.
An unexpected clap of thunder made
usjump, and we quickly obeyed the call
OF my aunt to come into the house, as
we had no desire to stay outside any
longer.
1t grew darker and darker. Tho
fiery zigzags Of the lightning threw
q yellow tint upon the people and fur.
niture in the room, and the thunder
following quickly on the flashes made
the old mansion quiver to its founda-
tions.
"A binding flash, with q Cdeafening
crash almost ut the same instant,
seemed to mako the old castle sway.
"Surely that struck (somewhere
near" said,My unclo, jumping to his
feet eand stepping to the window.
"Yes, it is Michael Kubarkin's hut
just across the river" he exclaimed.
IT must go at once and see that the
fire is put out" He turned Ito us,
"Boys, you had better come along. /
may need you" -'r'~"'
No need to ask US twice. We felt
overhonored to be allowed to be Of
use at. such an important moment. In
an instant We were in our high boots
and rubber coats, and started for the
Are. :. - ' '''-
About twenty peasants stood around
the burning house, lamenting and
praying, but not one Offering to lend
q helping hand.
"Quick," called my unclo.T "Take
some buckets; form a chain; try to
put out the fire."
"Your Lordship," said one Of the
men, lightning struck this house,
Only milk will put out the fame"
"Obey me-" thundered my uncle
"aud get to work, or I'll put you on
bread and water until you forget how
milk tastes"
: Reluctantly the man started. Ny
younger cousin, Alexey, was sta
toned to watch tho superstitiou'
crowd, with orders to report at ono,
if any one refused to work or tried tt
steal away.
"Now, boys" SECUTED my unclo
'1et us SEQ If there are any people il
the house."
Bravely we followed him into tn,
smoke and heat OF the slowly burnin,
hut. We soon discovered the deat
body of Michael Kubarkin and car
ried it out. Again and again VIC faced
the danger. We rescued two womei
and baby. They had been nerel.
stunned by the shock. While bring
ing the child out 7 had notices
q; form lying near the door. 1,
the darkness and smoke I could no
distinguish whether it was huma
being or dog.
/ hurried back. My uncle calle
me, but I rushed in, dropped on IN.
knees and .crawled toward the spo
where had seen the form lying. I
was boy. He had boen on his wa.
home in tho next village aud ha,
sought shelter in the house from tn
Storm.
I dragged him out, and was abou
fifteen yards from tho house whe
, there was an explosion. Kubarki
had bought ten pounds OF powder Q
the last fair and had kept it in tn
large brick stove.
The hut collapsed. Some OF tn
, bricks whizzed by my head, uncon
fortably close, but the boy was saved
and with the aid of fresh air no 500
came out of his stupor
1 Ten years had passed. I was lier
+ tonant in the body guard of the Czai
Before Plevna we were forced int
active service.
One morning was ordered to tax
{ private dispatch from tho Emperc
. to General Todlebon. A guard {
I twelve men escorted me when starto
, from headquarters. 1t was brigl
: morning after several days of drizzlin
! rain. Tho road through tho forei
was worry soft, nnd we could make bl
; very little progress. AT about te
O'Clock we reached an open valley.
ordered halt 70 decide II l shoul