The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-12-25

|
not been able to find her way back tc
the camp, and how she feared The
wolves would deyour her before an.
one should come to look for her. Then
Vasalissa.
Baboushka clasped the little wander
er to her great motherly heart.
"That, indeed, the wolves shall not
my dear little Vasalissa. l cannot give
thee back to thy aunt, fer | know IL
better than thou dost where this 1re;i,
company of men and women may be
camping for the night. But thou shalt
go home with Ossip and me. Thol
shalt share our fire and our porriIge
and all that is mine thou shalt share
with Ossip. 1 can keep the wolves OF
hunger and cold away, and if thy aunt
comes to claim thee she shall find thee
rosy and happy"
Then Vasalissa quickly dried bel
tears, and with her hand clasped il
Baboushka's she trudged cheerfully
forward until they came to tiny little
cottage set back from the road shor
distance In its one window lamI
was burning brightly.
The window and the lamp belonged
to Baboushka's cottage. She pushet
its unlocked door open, and the chill
dren entered with her into a clear
swept, well warmed room.
A large chair was drawn close Up t.
the hearth. AS BaboushEa entered sh
glanced eagerly at this chair and again
she muttered under her brGa ii:
II had hoped he might have com
while l was out"
Good mother" Ossip asked, 'w:.
do you leave a lighted lamp in the win
dow when you go away!'
so that" she answered, should an.
one go astray in the cold and the darl
he might find his way to my poo
cottage. And now let us see if the bear
broth has kept warm all this time
made it before | left home in the earl,
morning hours so that if any wander
ers found their way hither they nigh
not leave my roof hungered.''
The bean broth had kept warm. Sh
| bade Ossip throw few more fa5ot
under the pot and set Nasalissa Oh
| stool in the warmeSt nook. Then sE
| brought three bowls. filed them Wit
| the bean broth and put them OF tn
| table Over them she asked Il blessing
Before her own wooden spoon ha'
made two Journeys from bowl to Ii
she heard 4 timd knock at the GCol
| She ran quickly to answer ii. A tai
pale lad stood outside. In his arms h
| carried small mite of 4 boy, al0u
| whose shoulders was wrapped a wor
and so:led woman's shawl.
The tail, pale lad looked into the til
lighted room with longing eyes. Iii
| teeth chattered with the cold as |.
asked: Good mother. may we as
shelter for the night? The cold bite
bitter hard. and my little brother II
trusha is but q sickly cripple
Then Baboushha opened wide he
door with an eager hand and fast beat
| Ing heart. Perhaps. ut last, this wa
That indeed thou mayest. But VIII
srt thou abroad on such bitter nigh
! with the little one:"
She took the crippled boy In be
strong loving arms and carried hiI
straight to the great chair in the chin
ney corner. She raped her ow
best shawl about him and chafed b
small, withered feet until they glove
with warmth. The tall, pale la
looked on gratefully.
| Il am seeking an asylum for the Ii
tie one" he said. Il have to work har
to keep him and myself from want.
rich merchant has promised me worl
but he says 1 must not bring Petrushi
That he would take too much of u
time"
"And where seek you an asylum II
him?'
Baboushka looked pitifully at Il
small, sad face Of the cripple. The ia