Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-11-07

'-'-'-'>t ~ Rr-.rt Oh account OF the resi-
"'.,vc permit. prayed that the earth
miSut open and swallow me. but my
wish WAS wicked ami was .ot granted.
Peter wasn't at home i-.anka was
washing; | was AFRAID - disturb her.
lf Peter had been there Ia would have
found means TO pacify tie ianitor for
tie moment wh,a all would be well.
FOR | felt sure that would be dead
before nlghtf3N.
While was still weighing these
things in my mind Fiam,a came out
with big tub of soa3y water. What
are YOU standing around there forY she
scoided- Get yourself 10 the police
masters, for his eXcellcncy won't be
bainboozled like us hy stories OF cough
aHd fasting. Your whole residence
here was fraud Its too late now 10
wall about II. GO-and 20 jail II neces-
sary'
AT first was duiufounded. but
presently my senses returned. 'You
are right. daughter. I replied. took my
shawl and went out. | walked SLOWLY
nl"us the houses cropping my way and
Leaning against wall from time 10
time. My eyes were itcLin, as IL besat
pE thousand ants. and my body felt
coid now, as II they were rolling me
naked In the snow. aud hot then Was
SO near purgntOryt At last landed
al the police masters and entered tho
hrSt room. where some great lords sat
at Tables. One was most proud and
magnificent. another was ycwncd oll I'm
black and the third locked rather moan
bowed down To the ground and began
TO tell my story. Not here not hera
they said. bowed again and went n
the next room. The same story Not
mere. And SO hustled from room to
room. from table 10 table. My strength
was leaving me. when finally a thin
long gentleman took pity on old Eka
uina anc took me into the right cham.
Der where the master sat in state
e Iherc waited upon the threshold
while my legs shook like aspen leaves.
AZ last the great one dcigncd 20 look
up What is itT he asked. Rrnvolv
unhosomed myself and told him every
thing from beginning 10 end He lis
tened. then again asked. .What is itY
repeated my story OF how / went 10
the children 20 die: how. being alto-
gether sure OF death. I omitted TO buv
UpNr
Lord Jesus had seemingly forgotten
me. and how. because I continued to
Keep on living. | was summoned before
him.
The great lord rang n silver bell.
Immediately another came I'm who
looked even more beautiful. for big
shiny buttons were on his coat had
10 tell my story TO him also. When I
finished, the master said. See here.
Ekatrina. thou OweSt the little father.
the ear. quite n heap OF money. but
we will take pity on thee and let II GO
at 5i2 rubles
Il wrung my hands. Five ruhlcs and
halfi The very amount 10 Il kopeck
that | had given my children to pay
for the funeral, Feeling swOony.
leaned against the wall IL got dark
before my eyes. and gale was blow
Ing through my brain. And those fine
gentlemen jumped from their seats as
If by one accord. One grabbed the
water bottle; the other brought n chair.
Seeing the police masters compassion.
/ knelt down and embraced his knees.
Most gracious, most powerful lord
police master. have the goodness to
look at me! I am just II bit OF useless
dust; no moro. AS To the amount OF
soul within me. it's not worth bother
ing about. Believe me. mn taking no
ones place In this world: sleep on n
truss OF straw behind the stove and
pick up no more food than sparrow,
All. and | use very little air. for I am
too weak to breathe much. As regards
sunlight. | live in tho cellar. where a
beam seldom penetratcS.
Il know ought 10 be dead long ago
but what can do against this persist
ent. damnablc. costly habit of living?
Pray, take pity on me; it's surely the
heavens fault. The good saint who
keeps the book Of life must have over
looked poor Ekatrina. Don't punish
me. lest the heavenly recorder may re
sent II. assure your lordship have
been expecting death and preparing for
II ever so long. | have prayed for II
daily. hourly. And while | owe the
little father. the czar-may the Lord
bless him paid my permit OF resi-
deuce TO God Thirteen children have
borne and have buried seven. Oh.
worked for the czar too. gave him
two recruits. strapping fellOwsi One
Of my boys was drowned: one daughter
an away with the circus; the youngest
burned to death in hayloft like n
sparrow under a thntched roof. Indeed.
my lord. God and I are quits rs regards
the permit of residence. quits by virtue
OF the children l bore In pains and
sucked with hunger staring me in the
face.
HE took II out OF me in cares. In
hard labor. in cuffs and beatings from
a drunken husband. in the bloody tears
that | cried on those burial grounds OF
yellow sand. seven Of them: count
them. my lOrdr"
Old Ekatrinn was overcome Great
tears rolled down her tieshless checks.
Her lips tremblcd and her head in
clined from one side 10 the other.
Indeed" | said. chou hast paid for
thy permit of residence in this world"
After she had come to added. "And
what them"
"Oh. they made me pay" replied the
old woman without n shadow of resent