Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-10-29
CHAPTER II.


TIE BLACKSMITH AND THE PICTURE.
N road leading from the city
of Perm toward the forest on
~ the south there stood rude
cluster Of buildings, all OF
them old aud in poor state of repair.
This collection Of huts was the home
and forge Of the Paulpoffs, ironwork.
ers.
Here worked old Michael Paulpofi
and his son Vladimir, and 1t had been
to this uninviting place that Frances
Gordon had come to make the chance
acquaintance Of the young giant.
The huts and the surroundings were
rapidly growing even less inviting, for
nothing was being done now to keep
anything in repair.
A collection of household goods, over
which old Mamma Paulpoff watched
carefully. gave evidence that the fam.
lily were about to remove themselves
and their belongings to another place.
But still the old man and the young
one were at work. The blows that
Vladimir struck were tremendous. The
iron under his hammer bent and fiat
tened as the sparks shot like fireworks
to the far corners of the place. There
was a gay laugh on his handsome face
"a face that was almost childlike in
its simplicity and guilelessness.
"Oh, that will be happy day, Papa
Paulpoffw the young man said glee-
fully, plunging his tongs into the white
fire and withdrawing bar Of iron.
"What will" asked the old man,
looking sidewise at his son, but contin-
uing his work.
"The day can take you and the lit
tie mother to better home"
I'VE have been happy here" replied
old Papa Paulpoff, looking round at the
dingy interior.
"Yes, we have been happy-we shall
always be happy, for we are simple
and require little. But with greater
comfort ana more money greater hap
piness ought to come. 1t is fine to feel
yourself growing to be somebody in the
world-to feel yourself expand, broad
en-. 1t ID study that does It, and work.
I think the knowledge gives me moro
pleasure than the wealth. But we also
need the wealth"
The old man sighed.
"Yes, that is good, that knowledge.
But you will grow away from us. You
will perhaps marry that American girl,
and she would not like our simple
ways"
The hammer in yladimir's hand
came down with redoubled force.
What is that you SAVIOUR Vladimir
talking Of marrying" asked the trem-
ulous voice of Mrs. Paulpoff. 81 came
to say that the meal is ready, and l
find-what do fndy'
"Oh, Papa Paulpoff is dreaming one
of his Dreams" said Vladimir, with a
gay laugh.
But is 1t not SO, old woman?" asked
Papa Paulpofr. rs it not quite posi-.
BILE that our Vladimir may marry that
handsome American girl?"
II have seen 1t so," answered the old
woman. ut seems that no young wom-
an would take this interest If she did
not love-,
"Oh, nonsense" cried Vladimir. 1--WE
are friends. She is good. l admire.
Why, l could almost worship her, but
am peasant She is
There came the sound of cursing out.
side and the fall of a horses hoofs. A
shsut took the old man TO the door.
Courses upon this beast!" came IN
angry voice as a man about thirty-fiye
clad in neat riding suit, entered the
room striking his high boottops with
his whip. II have just been thrown
In some mysterious manner my horse
who never stumbles. caught his foot IL
something, tore loose his shoe and hurl
ed me to the ground. The horse is un
injured, but he has lost the shoe.
heard the sound of smithy and came
to you for assistance. l must reach
Graslov tonight, and the delay is seri
GUS"
ut is long since we were mere horse
shoers." said the old man. "The rail
road
But surely you can make shoe ant
put 1t on. 1 must 60 forward, and d.
not wish to lame this valuable horse"
Certainly. we will shoe the horse,
put in Vladimir, whose kind hear
could never refuse any request tina
was reasonable and proper. 81 will at
tend to 1t at once"
"But the meal Is waiting" said tn
old woman.
'The meal is but short distance
and Graslov is far" said Vladimir Z"
will shoe the horse and permit tn
prince to proceed"
"How did you know that was
PRIMER asked the stranger, looking
about him with a keen eye that wa
full of inquiry.
THE horse is Of the herd at Grasloy
the seat of the Neslerovs," was til
answer. II know the herd and think
have shod this very horse before"
Good! That is better than putin
him into the hands of a stranger" sal
the rider. Els your name PaulpoffT
at is. am Vladimir Paulpoff. Th
little father here is Michael"
"Ah, have heard of you. You hav
guessed correctly. I am prince. NJ
steward, who has charge Of my estat
while I am away in Siberia, mas toll
me Of the giant who is growing ric
working for the railroad. 1t is sal
that you can bend an iron bar wit
your hands,"
Vladimir In response picked up a
iron bar about four feet long and q
inch thick and bent 1t double with Il
apparent effort.
"Good God| exclaimed the prime
care you that powerful|
! NE acuptre muscle IN this work.