Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-15
A Russian Winters Tale.

once upon time there lived in Russia a
peasant named Ivan, and Mary his wife
They had been married many. years. and
their only grief was that no little ones play.
! ed about their doorstep They did not allow
| this disappointment to make them disagree
| able and envious. but took the greatest de-
| light in watching the play of their neigh
| boris children.
| One day in winter Ivan and Mary were
| interested In the snow images some children
were making.
| said Ivan.
Why not?'' said Mary. mo harm to
| thus amuse ourselves. But what is the use
| to make big figure? We had better make
snow child. since God has given US none
| of our own"
i You are right answered Ivan, and to-
gether they set to work fashioning a snow
child. First the little body was formed.
then the little hands and feet. and when all
was done they shaped snow ball into a
head. AS Ivan was putting in the holes
for eyes. a passerby called out, Heaven
bless you.'
Wonder of wonders! AS soon as he had
finished speaking the snow image bent its
legs in the snow, as If 1t were a real child.
Heavens, what is this said Ivan, max
ing the sign of the cross.
Ivan. Ivan!" cried Mary trembling with
joy, Heaven has heard our prayers She
threw her arms about the child and covered
it with kisses.
AS the snow fell away from the little girl
VANS joy was as great as his wife's, and
they both with difficulty controlled their
emotions.
| Snyegurka, they called the child, who
daily grew in beauty and goodness. The
quiet little hut where Ivan and Mary
| had spent their lives became full of life and
merriment. The village girls soon loved
| Snyegurka. and took the greatest delight
| in dressing her, singing songs to her, and
| teaching her all they knew. She noticed
everything and learned quickly. for she was
| very clever. Best of all, she was amiable.
obedient and affectionate. Her skin was
| white, her hair the color of fax, and her
| eyes were as blue as the heavens. Her
| cheeks, however. had no rosy flush, for she
had no blood.
At last the long cold winter was ended.
and the village girls went forth singing.
Snyegurka, however, did not sing. To
Mary's loving inquiries as to whether she
was i'll, the little girl would answer with
sigh:
mo mother, dear, it's nothing"
AS the days grew warmer. and the birds
sang more blithely, Snyegurka became more
sad She ran from her companions, ana
hid like a little timid flower under the trees.
Then summer came, and the feast or ST
John was at hand. The girls on their way
| to the woods called for Snyegurka, and
Mary, thinking the outing would do her
good urged her to go.
'Take good care of her" commanded nm
Mary. Il love her better than my life
After a day of merry making. gathering
! flowers and singing songs. the girls made
fire of dry grass and sat around 1t, watch.
ing the sun set. Each wore crown OF
flowers, and they said to Snyegurka:
.Watch us, run as we run. follow wher-
ever we 60 .I >,
All of a sudden they heard sigh An:
They looked at each other. Nothing was TO
10 Son hut where was Snyegurka?
.She has hidden herself" said one They
searched for her, calling her name again
and again. When no answer came the it'ie
| girls decided she had run home.
, ePack to the village all hurried but no
| one had seen Snyegurka. The older folk
searched for days, but no trace OF the love
| Iy Snyegurka was ever discovered TO Ihe
| Rad learned TO care for the gentle, love-
| worthy snow child