Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-11-21
A RUSSIAN WINTERS TALE

once upon time there lived in
Russia a peasan. named Ivan and
Mary. his ~lf-. They had been mar
r.ed many years and their only grief
va. shat no little ones played about
tb.ir doorstep. They did not allow
his Disappointment to make them dis
agreeble and enyious. but tooE the
greatest delight IN watching the play
iof their nei4Abors' children.
on day ia wtn-er Ivan and Mary
7.err interested in the snow images
some chl5drvu were making.
"W.fa. suppose We make snow
ima4-. said Ivan.
~Whr not. sal NarT NO harm
to thus amuse ourselves, But what
is the us- to make BIZ h=ure2 We
had better make snow ch.tI since
God ha- gwen ~ none OF our own.
aYoa are right. said Ivan, and
to- -l.-r fhes sat 70 work fashioning
snow child F'lrs-. rhe ,.rrle bo.1
vas f5rnH=I hen tn hands and feet
aaa aa-a al Wa done e0sE SHAPED
snowfall info a head. A-=Iyan was
putting n the holes for th= ayes a
rasserag calge.- OIL Heaven bless
you
Wonder Of wonders, AZ soon az
ha=had finished speaking The snow
iaa2e. .bant - head as # alive. and
stirred lis arms and legs in the snow
as if II were a real child
sHeavers. what is this" said ivan
making he sign Of the cross,
Ivan. Ivan" cried Mary, trembling
with joy, heaven has heard our
prayers,' She threw her arms about.
the child end covered it with kisses.
As the snow fell away from tha
little girl VANS JOY was as great as
his wtfe's. and they both With diff
Guilty controlled their emotions
Snyegurka they called the child,
who daily grew in beauty and good
ness The quiet little hut where Ivan
and Mary had spent their lives be
came full of lie and merriment. The
village girls soon loved Snyegurka,
and took the greatest delight in dress
iEg her. singing songs to her, AMI
teaching her all they knew. She
rosiced everything and learned qn.cz,
Il, for she was very clever. Hsr OF
al she was amiable obedien- aad at
fectionate Her skin was phite, 7
hair the color Of flax, aa1 her ewes
were as blue as the haavens. Her
cheeks, however. had 40 rosy hue.
for She had no blood
At last the long cold winter was
ended. The sno" melted, the grass
became green, and the village girls
went forth singing. Snyegurka, how
ever. did not sing To Mary,s loving
inquiries as to VIII her she was HI
the little girl would answer with q
sigh:
NO mother dear its nothing.
As the days grew warmer and he
birds sang more b!itheIE. snyegurko
became more sad. Sha ran from he.
companions and hid like little timid
flower under the trees. Then SUNNI
came and the Feast Of S. John was
a. hand. The girls on their way T.
the woods called for snxo @urka, and
Mary, linking the OH ing would Do
her good urged her TO go.
Take good care OF her cammand
Cd Mary 4 love her better than my
Nta."
After day Of merry making, gath
ering flowers and singing songs the
girls made fire Of dry grass and sal
around il. watching the sun set. Each
wore crown Of flowers, and they
said 10 Snyeeurka:
Watch US; run as We run: follow
wherever We go
All Of sudden they heard sigh
i"Ah," They looked a. each other
] \ othing was 10 be seen. but-Wh"ra
vas Snyegnrka?
ashe has hidden herself" said one
They searched for her, calling her
name again and again. When no
answer came the little girls decided
she had run homo.
Back to the village all hurried but
rc. one had seen Snyesurka. The
older folk searched for days, but nc
trace of the lovely Snyeeurka was
pl er discovered. to the great sorrow
l0f Ivan and Mary. and all who had
learned TO care for the gentle, love
worthy snow child.