The San Francisco call., 1904-06-19


hut. which stood behind broad rustic
gate, and from which giimnering
light shone forth, determined 70 beg "a
dry spot for the rest OF the night AS
I csuae Cd 10 the gate several dogs
within began such ferocIous barking
that / paused, fearing 10 risk what
little sfc remained in me. Recalling
kind Of exorcism 1 knew when child,
] tried ii on these raging animals. But
they seemed not TO mind my incanta-
tions One Jumped over the gate, and
the rest made as If 10 follow. In this
critical situation thought the best ex-
orcism would be 70 cry for help. did
SO. and a peasant. half-naKed, opened
the door OF the hut
who's that2" he asked. as he
quieted the dogs.
told him that was a wanderer and
wished to have lodging overnight.
''Bosje Moi Cmy God)." he said,
crossing himself. "On a night like
thisi" And after ne had scrutinized me
he murrnured to himseIf: He's no
thief-only a little Jew"
i deny shelter TO no one. be he
Christian or jew" he said, as he
opened the gate Tor me.
entered his hut. IT was Of the
same style as those of most muzhiSs;
one square, earth -fioored room, the un-
plastered walls and low ceiling Of
which were black with smoke. One
fourth OF il occupied by d large brick
oven; another fourth taken up by a
large bed which was commonly known
ss the family bed" and the remain
ing space filed by q long, unpsinted
table with q rough bench along eacn
side OF it, pail OF water, a manger for
the pigs, and a wooden dish for the
rabbits that were crowded together in
q corner. An oil lamp burned before
small image Of Christ, placed beside
the window. or rather the small square
hole which served as one.
A suffocating stencil pervaded the
room; however, the warmth brought
new life into my benumbed body. -Four
or i've OF the occupants Of the bed
raised their heads, and noticed by the
light of the oil lamp that they were o.
both sexes.
The good muzhik set black bread,
salt and water before me, and asked
me whether or not 1 was hungry.
thanked him gratefully, and said all l
cared for was a place to sleep.
There. SjIdotchick 0ittle Jew), is a
warm spot" he pointed with his finger
at the top of the oven. And he un-
ceremoniously raised the large blanket
and crept under by the side OF his
family.
I climbed upon the high oven and
was going TO lie down. when noticed
something stirring there. And l was
still more startled to find a partner-a
girl. I was going to slip back TO the
floor. but she said. There is plenty Of
room here" and innocently moved
aside. The morality which had been
snculcated in me did not permit me to
accept her courtesy, and I offered as
an excuse that il was too warm. So l
lay down on one Of the benches.
The family soon fell asleep again.
but, exhausted though I was. sleep
would not come to my eyes. My mind
followed a train of feverish thoughts
aroused by the events Of the afternoon
and night; and besides. even had my
mind not been active. 1 would have
been kept awake by the deep groans
that arose near me, which, however,
did not seem TO disturb the other occu-
pants Of the hut. After my eyes had
become accustomed TO the semi dark
ness I discovered a man lying upon a
truss OF straw on the ground but few
feet away from me. The dim light be-
fore the image Of Christ cast yell
lowish glow upon his emaciated coun-
tenance. He lay covered with tat
tered sheepskin coat; his head rested
upon a dirty straw cushion. His eyes
were closed, his mouth half open, and
he was breathing slowly. groan COM
ing forth with every breath.
Basil" he cried out. after had
been in the hut for perhaps a quarter
Of an hour.
Nobody answered; loud snoring rang
through the stenchy room. ! could now
hear the man on the ground breathing
heavily and tossing about restlessly
Several minutes passed.
BASIL" he cried again IN hoarse.
feeble voice. The only answer was a
chorus Of snores from the family
bed"
"Basil-I-am-dying
ITO the devili" my host muttered, as
he jumped out Of bed. What do you
want, Michael?"
"Brother''-Michael made hard ef-
fort TO speak-"brother, bring priest.
I am dying"
Basil scratched his head as II unde-
cided what 10 do. He looked good
natured, but he appeared 10 entertain
some doubts as to whether his brother
had reached the point when priest is
necessary. He uttered a curse good
naturedly, as IL his brothers request
was merely an everyday jest, and
said: "Oh, Michael, you won't die yet.
and III trouble the batiushka Qittle
father for nothing"
Michael emitted a deep groan. God
knows whether-Tl live long enough
TO see the sun. Call the batiushka.
I shuddered. Basil scratched his
head again, muttered few curses un-
der his breath, and put on his heavy
fur coat and his sheepsKin hat Il
know you viii trouble the batiushka
for nothing" he said, and slammed the