Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-07-14


About 1t clustered some mean-looking
novels. each with its inevitable cabbage
patch: and the plain. from its being cut
up and rudely fenced with stone, sug-
gested the cultivation of rye Rye and
cabbage and hemp oil. the things on which
the moutik lives, till the pores of the skin
seem to reek to the nostrils with the smell
of their rsnkness; and with that smell
always the clang of the Ypeace-destroy-
ing bell.
SO this was the place whore she had
come TO end life once fun OF the prom
Use OF all good things. Wen, God knows
best Perhaps 1t was better so, than Ia
drag on the weary burden of the flesh
further along the road.
At the unexpected sound OF their bell, a
heavy-looking fellow, in shabby military
attire, supplemented with articles OF his
own contriving. opened the door and
frowned on them The mOujik was al
ready bowling and gesticulatug to him,
greeting him as little father" and in
forming him that the great nobieman
who occupied the sleigh desired to be ac-
commodated for tho night by him"
SO much Osborne gathered, because the
formula, with it's concomitant bows and
shrugs. was already familiar to him.
Perhaps" The man advanced on him
with forbdding scowl, with which also
he was familiar, for there is nothing in
all the world to match the servility of the
moujik but the arrogance of his equally
low-born and ignorant brother the official.
''They are here
Osborne handed them over and waited
while the man read them slowly and with
difficulty.
Put the horse in the shed, you" he
said. "and tell his Excellency that he is
welcome"
The mans hand was already on the
door but terrible reaction, spasm of
cowardce, had seized on Osborne, he
dreaded to follow him into the house. He
had hardly mastered the feeling when
the man turned round with n movement
of suspicion, caught him roughly by the
shoulder dragged him to the track of his
sleigh. indicated the plain across which 1t
lay. tapped his papers excitedly, and then
pointed to the other horizon.
Francis Osborne understood this rough
pantomime at once. and such color az the
journey had left in his haggard cheeks
fled from them in his CONSERVATION. The
mans brain WIS the organ of Muscovite
esficial-be saw the absolute letter of his
instructions and nothing more lie was
recommended in those pages to give sue
cor to the bearer en- route to Nitinsk he
had no orders to harbour or assist him
II returning. Would the man arrest him
and send him back under escort or almost
equally cruelty send him on to the next
large settlement there to wait two or three
days to get his passport counterslgHed for
a return--a return which might be too
late?
He stood there dumb while the Musco-
wife poured him flood of suspicious
questions ard abuse: then suddenly he
found his own moujk at his elbow.
EST. Nicholas and the holy stone! Was
the little father angry with his Excel
lency?,
So much he understood. and then after
wild war Of words, torrent of salaams
and shrugs. the official joined another who
had just appeared. ard the moujtk smiled
up at his superior with a smile OF pecu-
liar low cunning. and said
your Excelency has been faithfully
served. Your Excellency's servant shall
drink many glasses of vodka. to the sue
cess with which the beast of policeman
is fooled.
What have you told him then?"
That we lost the road three hours ago
~in- coming through the forest6 that one
over there, the tops of the trees OF which
themselves seem; that we met IA peasant
who sent us back after pulling our sleigh
out of drift: that not two versts from here
he may the place where we came
again to the high road" !
But If he should ride out to see?'
Bah, 1t is too late: he will not leave /
the samovar tonight Besides, | told him /
that your Excellency was generous and
gave good gifts
The official and his companion now re-
joined them, and tho latter spoke: his
EXcelleney is recommended, he CAP come