The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-08-02
CHAPTER l.
THE cUNMAKER AND THE MONK.

close OF the seventeenth century
Russia had passed through the lon
and bitter ordeal of national night
The Tartar yoke had been worn til
the very bones of the nation wer
CALLED, and when this was throw
off civil discussions and insurrec
lions commenced. The Poles am
Swedes plundered the country, ant
amid general tumult and confusion
some half dozen men we're 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 a noble
prince and a humble, patriotic
butcher, made a bold stand to save
the country. Moscow was retaken,
and Michael Romanoff was chosen
car, 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 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, we're
furnished not only with neatness,
but with fair show of ornament
and luxury. Back of these were a
large cooking and dining room and
two small bedrooms, and back still
IRON these were an artisans shop
and other outbuildings. The shop
was devoted principally to the man
ufacture Of firearms. Some swords
and other edged weapons we're made
here upon special application.
The gunmaker now stood by his
forge watching the white smoke as
1t curled up toward the throat of the
chimney. He was young man,
not over three and twenty, and pos
sessed frame of more than ordina-
ry symmetry and muscular develop
ment. He was not large-not above
the medium size = but 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,
yet 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
u bright, brilliant deep gray in
'oior, lent a cast of genius to the
intellect OF the brow. His name
vas Ruric Newell. His father had
,een killed in the then late war with
he Turks, and the son, leaving his
mother properly cared for, went to
spain soon after the bereavement.
There he found work in the most
oted armories, and now, well versed
n the trade, he had returned to his
native city to follow his calling
nd support his mother.
Near by stood boy-Paul Pee
'off--a bright, intelligent lad. some
5 years of age, who had bound him |
elf to the gunmaker for the pur-
'ose of learning the art. His hair
nd his eyes were darker than his
and If he possessed not SO
nuch sound intellect he certainly
possessed an unwonted degree of
cen, quick wit and answering in
egrity.
The sun had been some time be-
DIV the horizon, and the only light
t any consequence that made
Kings partially visible within the
hop came from the dull blaze of
be Goals on the forge, as Paul ever
nd anon bore down upon the brake
hat moved the bellows. Suddenly
uric started back from the forge
5 his mind broke from the deep I
averie into which he had fallen,
nd, having babe his boy to see that
'atters were properly disposed for
ne night, he turned toward the
oor and was soon in the kitchen, 6
here his mother had supper all ,
repaired and set out.
Claudia Newell was noble look
g woman, if the impress of no. !
e, generous soul can be called
lch, and the light of her still hand r
me countenance was never bright l