Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-01-20

we felt strong and mischievous.
The day was hot and sutfocating
The air seemed to be laden with some
thing more than the scent OF new
mown hay and pine-a flavor so com
mon on July day in Northern Russia.
The grown people said: "The at
mosphere is impregnated with cleo
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 fal
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
home aud tho cattle rush for the
stables.
An unexpected clap of thunder made
usjump, and we quickly obeyed the cal
of my aunt to come into the house, as
we had no desire to stay outside any
longer.
1t grew darker and darker. The
fiery zigzags of the lightning threw
yellow tint upon the people and fur
niture in the room, and the thunder
following quickly on the flashes made
the old mansion culver TO its founda-
tons.
"A binding fash, with .deafenine
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 fand stepping to the window.
eyes, it is Michael Kubarkin's hut
just across the river" he exclaimed.
~ must 60 OF once and see that the
fire is put out" He turned Ito us,
'Boys, you had better come along. 1
may need you.
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
fire.
About twenty peasants stood around
the burning house, lamenting and
praying, but not one Offering to lend
helping hand.
"Quick," called my uncle. "Take
some buckets; form q chain; try to
put ont the fire.
"Your Lordship," said one Of the
men, 'lightning struck this house.
Only milk will put out the fame"
"Obey me-" Numbered my uncle,
"aud get to work, or TIL PIT you on
bread and water until you forget how
milk tastes"
Reluctantly the man started. My
younger cousin, Alexey, was sta
toned to watch the superstitious
crowd, with orders to report at once
if any one refused to work or tried to
steal away.
CHOW, boys" shouted my uncle,
''let us see if there are any people in
the house."
Bravely we followed him into tho
smoke and heat of the slowly burning
hut. We soon discovered the dead
body of Michael Kubarkin and car
ried it out. Again and again we faced
the danger. We rescued two women
and a baby. They had been merely
stunned by the shock. While bring
ing the child out + had noticed
q. form lying near tho door. In
the darkness and smoke I could not
distinguish whether it was a human
being or dog.
hurried back. Ny uncle called
me, but rushed in, dropped ON my
knees and 'scrawled toward the spot
where had seen the form lying. 1t
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 m explosion. Kubarkin
had bought ten pounds of powder at
the last fair and had kept it in the
large brick stove.
Tho hut collapsed. Some of the
bricks whizzed by my head, uncom-
fortably close, but the boy was saved,
and with the aid of fresh air he soon
came out Of his stupor.
Ten years had passed. Twas lieu
tenant in the body guard OF the Gear.
Before Plevnn we were forced into
active service.
One morning was ordered to take
private dispatch from the Emperor
to General Todlebcn. A guard of
twelve men escorted me when L started
from headquarters. 1t was bright
morning after several days of drizzling
rain. The road through the forest
was very soft, and we could make but
very little progress. At about ten
o'clock we reached an open valley. T
ordered halt to decide if I should.
cross the open space or turn to the
left and keep in the woods until I had
got out of sight and reach Of the
enemy. 1t would have been just
twenty miles more of muddy read.
Inc nlspatcn was important anu
haste necessary, 50 decided to move
straight OH.
We had hardly reached the open
valley when small cloud Of amoke
from the northern fort of Plcvna told
me that We had been seen aud were
now q target FOR the Turkish guns.
A short command from me brought
my men into line, so that the enemy
had only ono man to aim ut. We
were moving at full speed toward tie
protecting timber on the other side.
The first shell fel! short; The second
burst fully thousand yards behind
us; tho third was "dtaI," and passed
fifty feet in front of MS.
We were almost IN the shade OF the
tall pines when Iheard n terrific crash
and lost my senses. I awoke very
soon, with n singing pain in ny head.