Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-02
CHAPTER II.

; TIE BLACKSMITH AND THE PICTURE
~N road leading from the cit
W OF Perm toward the forest OF
~ the south there stood rud
cluster of buildings, all O
them old and in poor state of repair
This collection of huts was the hom
and forge of the Paulpoffs, ironwork
ers.
Here worked old Michael Panlpof
: and his son Vladimir, and it had bee,
to this uninviting place that France
Gordon had come to make the chanc,
acquaintance Of the young giant
The huts and the surroundings wcr,
rapidly growing even less inviting. FOL
nothing was being done now to keel
anything in repair.
collection OF household goods, owe,
which old Mamma Paulpuff 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 gay laugh on his handsome face
"a race that was almost childlke in
Its simplicity and guilelessness.
"Oh. that will be happy day. Papa
Paulpoff. the young man said glee.
fully, p,unging his tongs into the white
fire and Withdrawing a 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"
we have been happy here" replied
old Papa Pauipoff. looking round at the
dingy interior.
les, we have been happy--we shall
always he happy, for we are simple
and require little. Rut with greater
comfort and more money greater han.
piness ought TO come. 1t is fine to feel
Yourself growing to be somebody in the
world-to feel yourself expand broud.
On. l. Is study that does il. and work
| think the Knowledge gives me more
pleasure than the wealth. But we also
need the wealth"
The old man sighed
Yes, that is good. that knowledge.
Blt You Will grow away from us. You
Will perhaps marry that American girl.
and she would not like our simple
ways"
The hammer in Vladimir's hand
came down with rcdoubled force.
What is That YOU SAVIOUR Vladimir
talking of marrx'ng?" asked the trem-
uous voice Of Mrs. Paulpof Il came
to say that the meal is ready, and
tind-what do find:"
"Oh, Papa Paulpoff is dreaming one
OF his Dreams" said Vladimir, with a
gay laugh
But is it not So old woman?' asked
Papa Paulpotf. rs it not quite posi-
bic that our Vladimir may marry that
handsome American girl?"
i have seen it So" answered the old
woman. 1T seems that no young WON
an would take this interest If she did
not love-
oh, nonsense" cried Vladimir. eve
are friends. She is good. | admire.
Why, | could almost worship her, but
am a peasant. She is
There came the sound of cursing out
side and the fall of horses hoofs. A
Shout took the old man TO the door.
Curses upon this BEAST came an
angry voice as man about thirty-tivo. !
clad in neat riding suit, entered the
room striking his high boottops with |.
his whip. Il have just been thrown. |
In some mysterious manner my horse. |
who never stumbles caught his foot in
tore loose his shoe and hurl. |
ed me TO the ground. The horse Is I'M !
injured. but he has lost the shoe. I
heard the sound OF a smithy and came
10 you for assistance. | must reach
Graslov tonight, and the delay is seri-
GUS"
1T Is long since we We're mere horse.
said the old man. 1.-The rail-
road
But surely you can make shoe and
put 1t on. must 60 forward, and do
not wish to lame this valuable horse"
"Certainly, we will shoe the horse"
put In Vladimir, whose kind heart
could never refuse any request that
was reasonable and proper. II will at.
tend to it at once"
But the meal is waiting" said the
Did woman.
"The meal is but a short distance.
md Graslov is far" said Vladimir. II
will shoe the horse and permit the
prince to proceed"
"lIow did you know that I was a
prince" asked the stranger. looking
lbout him with a keen eye that was
ull Of inquiry.
THE horse is Of the herd at Grasloy,
he seat Of the Neslerovs," was the
answer, ~ know the herd and think
AVE shod this very horse before
Good. That is better than putting
lin into the hands of stranger" said