Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-07-10
A TRAP FOR the CAR.

N~~O>~~~>~~>~~@~-~>~-~
o0IGHT was falling over st. Pc
| INl tersburg-One of those raw,
CIV damp, gloomy nights which are
worse by far than the hard. dry, crack
ing frosts Of the Russian winter-when
a tall man, in the long gray frieze over
coat and military cap OF an Infantry
officer, came slowly across the great
square in front Of the Winter Palace.
urally very few foot passengers about
the streets; but If this officer wished
to take his walk undisturbed. he had
done wisely to SLOUGH his cap and turn
up his cOat-cOllar so as to hide his face;
for any one who had got good look at
him. even for one moment, would have
recognized at a glance the Car him
self. Alexander L., of Russia.
"And to think that there are plenty
Of people who envy me and think me
the happiest man alivev muttered the
Emperor, as he halted for moment
near the south gate of the palace to
look about him. 1T was just here
1 remember it weil-that | was stand
ing when l got the news that Napoleon
was marching against me with all the
soldiers in Western Europe, and that
every man in Russia must fight for life
and death. When we had driven the
Frenchmen out Of the country,
thought our troubles were over then;
but now it seems as il they were only
just beginning. Trade falling of. har-
vests failing, laborers wanting work.
and every one laying all the blame on
me, Of course. Hollo!"
Too much taken up with his own
thoughts to notice where he was going.
the Gar had stumbled over a small,
thin. ragged boy. who was sitting on
a stone in front Of the palace, and star
ing up at the long line Of carved tur-
refs and brilliantly lighted windows.
Don't be angry. your honor.
couldn't help 1t. really" stammered the
boy, who evidently expected this big
Oee--ier to give him kick or blow for
D<Adk in the way.
mo harm done. my boy. 1t was my
fault" said the Emperor. kindly. Il
hope haven't hurt your
. 'Oh, I'm not so Mdly hurt, MASTER"
answered the boy, treasured by the
friendly tone Il fell off horse last
week, and 1t didn't hurt me bit. It's
not often that I'm THROWN" he added
proudly, but he was young beast
and very skittish."
You're q good rider, them" said
Alexander. Have you had much to
do with hOrses?"
Eyes, I'm in stable downtown
Ivan ShapirOff's stable. in Resurrection
street. If you ever want to hire horse,
he can give you good one"
"Well," said the Gar. beginning to
be interested as well as amused by the
Nttle fellows prattle, when do want
q horse, I'll get one there, and take you
with me to show me the way"
will your" cried the boy. eagerly.
Gall right; just ask for 'Vaska Bill.
for they all know me. I'll run beside
you as fast as your horse can trot, any
uQy Ou hNSs way yOu 6dllOD,
for I'm not up to that"
And then Vaska, delighted to find a
'real live officer" talking to him SC
kindly and seeming interested in hear
ing about him. told how he belonged to
a village about fifty miles from the
capital; how his father and mother
had died Of cholera in the previous
summer. with many Of the other vii.
layers; how, finding himself left quite
unprovided for. he had begged his way
to st. Petersburg. found out the stable
keeper ShapirOff, who had been friend
to his father and got wosk, and how
he was now earning the very hand
some salary-fOr such he evidently
thought it-Of twenty kopecks (tifteer
cents a day.
"And what were you doing here
when l came up?" asked the Emperor
Looking at the palace" replied the
boy. and thinking what grand place
1t must be- and il could only get O
peep at the inside Of it-just once
would be quite happy"
well, IL that's ALL" said the Car
sit is easily done. Shall take you il
with me?"
Your" echoed Vaska. cycling hin
dOubtfully. will the Emperor lie
your"
Il think he WILL" answered Alexan
der, with a oOd-humored laugh. 'fo
I am the Emperor himself"
Then the boy laughed in his turn
and looked up in his new friends fac,
with a knowing grin.
"Ah, your honor. why do you wan
to make a fool of me like that? D,
you think I'm going to believe tina
our father the Gear would be strolln,