The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-09-29
A LITTLE AND A BIG HERO.

Ny two cousins and had come from
school to my uncle's estate, pale and
overworlzed. Now, brown as berries,
we felt strong and mischievous.
The day was hot and suffocating. The
air seemed TO be laden with something
more than the scent of new-mown hay
and pine-a flavor SO common on a July
day in Northern Russia.
The grown people said: 1.-THE atmos-
phere is impregnated with electricity"
and although we boys of twelve
wears did not know what that really
meant, we were sure that, sooner or
later. a storm would come, for the
old shepard had said so, and he always
told the truth.
In the afternoon a black cloud rose
over the horizon in the northeast. An
hour later a dark bank covered haIf
the sky and we heard the far away
rum.bling of thunder.
Rain began to fall.in large drops and
we, standing on the grass-covered
porch, amused ourselves in watching
the chickens run, the ducks dive in the
pond, the worlmen hurry home and
the cattle rush for the stables.
An unexpected clap Of thunder made
US jump, 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 draker and darker. The
fiery zig gags of the lightning threw
yellow tint upon the people and furni-
ture in the room, and the thunder FOL
lowing quickly on the flashes made the
mansion CULVER to its foundations.
A binding flash, with deafening
crash almost at the same instant,
seemed to make the old castle sway.
Surely that struck somewhere near,
said my uncle, jumping to his feet and
stepping to the window. Yes, 1t is
Michael Kubarkin's hut just across the
river" he exclaimed. Il must go at
once and see that the fire is put out.
He turned to us, Boys, you had better
come along. I may need you"
No need to ask US twice. we felt
over-honored 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 fire.
About twenty peasants stood around
the burning house, lamenting and pray
ing, but not one offering to lend a
helping hand.
Quick called my uncle. ''Take
some buckets; form chain; try to put
out the fire"
Your lordship" said one Of the men,
lightning struck this house. Only milk
viii put out the flame"
''Obey me- thundered my uncle,
land get to work or I'll put you on
bread and water until you forget how
milk tastes"
Reluctantly the man started. My
younger cousin, Alexey, was stationed
10 Wa tch the SuperstitiOus crowd, with
orders to report at once if any one re-
10 CT a
Now, boys" shouted my uncle, let
us see if there are any people in the
house"
Brayelv we followed him into the
smoke and heat of the slowly burning
hut. We soon discovered the dead body
If Michael Kubarkin and carried it out.
Again and again we faced the danger.
We rescued two women and bapy.
They had been merely stunned by the
shock. While bringing the child out L
had noticed a form lying near the door.
In The darkness and smoke [ could not
distinguish whether 1t was human
being or a dog.
I hurried back. Ny uncle called me,
but l rushed in, dropped on my knees
and crawled toward the spot where L
had seen the form lying. II was boy.
He had been on his way home in the
next village and had sought shelter IN
the house from the storm
dragged him out. and was about
fifteen yards from the house when
there was an explosion. Kuparkin had
bought ten pounds of powder at the
last fair and had kept it in the large
brick stove
The nut collapsed. Some of the
bricks whizzed by my head, uncom-
fortably close, but the boy was saved,
and with the aid Of fresh air and a
little brandy he soon came out of his
stuDor.
Ten years had passed. was lieu
tenant in the body guard of the car.
Before PIevna we were forced into &C
tive service
One morning L was ordered TO take
nrivate dispatch from the emperor to
General Todleben. A guard of twelve
men escorted me when / started from
Headquarters. It was bright morn
ing after several DAYS OF drizzling rain.
The road through the fol est was very
soft and we could make but very slow
progress. At about 10 o'clock we
reached an open valley. l ordered a
half to decided if 1 should cross the
omen space or turn to the left and keep
in the woods until had got out OF sight
and reach of the enemy. II would nave
been just twenty, miles more, OF muddy