The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-11-15
CHAPTER |.
THE ouNMAKER AND THE MONK.

THE oUNMAKER AND THE MONK
The time at which we open our
story is midwinter and toward the
close of the seventeenth century.
Russia had passed through the long
and bitter ordeal of national night.
The Tartar yoke had been worn till
the very bones Of the nation were
CALLED, and when this was thrown
off civil dissensions and insurrec-
tons commenced. The Poles and
Swedes plundered the country, and
amid general tumult and confusion
some half dozen men were clamor-
ing for the throne. At length few
patriotic citizens, pledging every
thing they held dear on earth to the
cause of freedom from this curse of
anarchy and headed by noble
prince and a humble, patriotic
butcher, made a bold stand to save
the country. Moscow was retaken,
and Michael Romanoff was chosen
ear, and this illustrious family still
occupies the imperial throne. And
now the day of Russian greatness
dawned, but the sun was not fairly
up and the broad light opened not
upon the empire until Peter came
to the throne.
In the department of the Sloboda,
the suburbs of Moscow, and very
near the river Moskwa stood a
humble cot, the exterior of which
betrayed a neatness of arrangement
and show Of taste that more than
made up for its smallness of size.
Nor was it so very small, in fact,
but only in contrast, for near at
hand about it stood many large,
shabby, dirty looking structures
that overlooked the prim cot, as
bleak mountains may look down up
on verdant hill. And within this
cot was as neat as without. The
two apartments in front. one of
which was only used in winter, were
furnished not only with neatness,
but with a fair show Of ornament
and luxury. Back Of these were a
large cooking and dining room and
two small bedrooms, and back still
from these were an artisans shop
and other outjnjldings. The shop
was devoted principally to the man
ufacture Of firearms. Some swords
and other edged weapons were made
here upon special application.
The gunmaker now stood by his
forge watching the white smoke as
it curlcd up toward the throat of the
chimney. He was a young man,
not over three and twenty, and pos
sess2d frame of more than ordina-
~ symmetry and muscular develop
ment. He was not large-not above
the medium size - but a single
glance at the swelling chest, the
broad shoulders and the sinewy
ridges Of the bare arms told at once
that he was master of great physical
power His features were regular,
vet strongly marked and eminently
handsome. His brow, which was
full and high, was half covered by
the light brown curls that waved
over it, while his eyes, which were
Of bright, brilliant deep gray in
color, lent cast Of genius to the
intellect of the brow. His name
was Ruric Newell. His father had
been killed in the then late war with
the Turks, and the son, leaving his
mother properly cared for, went tc
Spain soon after the bereavement
There he found work in the most
noted armories, and now, well verseC
IN the trade, he had returned to his
native city to follow his calling
snd support his mother.
Near by stood a boy-Paul Pee
poff-a bright, intelligent lad, some
Is years of age. who had bound him
self to the gunmaker for the pur
pose of learning the art. His ha.l
auu HIS eyes NClC udl hSl IHdu III
masters, and if he possessed not ST
much sound intellect he certaini,
possessed an unwonted degree o
keen, quick wit and answering in
tegrity.
The sun had been some time be
low the horizon, and the only ligh
Of any consequence that mad
things partially visible within tn
shop came from the dull blaze o
the Goals on the forge, as Paul eve
and anon bore down upon the brak
that moved the bellows. Suddenl
Duric started back from the forg
as ms mInu broke from the zee
reverie into which he had faller
and, having babe his boy to see tina
matters were properly disposed 70
the night, he turned toward tn
door and was soon in the kitchen
where his mother had supper a
prepared and set out.
Claudia Nevel was a noble lool