Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-11-16
A RUSSIAN WINTERS TALE

Mary, his wife They had been mar
was that no little ones played about
their doorstep. They did not allow
this Disappointment to make them dis
a2recbie and envious, but took III
great st delight in watching the play
OF Their neighbors' children.
One day in winter Ivan and Mary
we're interested in the snow image~
some children were making
wife, suppose we make snow
ima2a," said Ivan.
WHY rct?" said MARY No h4r'a
N thus amuse ourselves. But what
IS tho IL to make bic figure" Nc
nd better make a snow child since
COL has given Us none or cur owH.8
''fou ave right, said Ivan. AMI
to@s,h.I th,y sat to Work fa@hi. ..-
: snow child F1s..-lH be ll1lez1z.
was formed, fhen= Tho hands and fezt.
.scd= when all Wa dane#eneT shaReH
q snowfall into a head ~ ivan Wa
putting n the b81es=foe= The aXos=a
.a&sel1r : called on. "EIs azen bless
you
Wonder Of @6mje5s: As soon a.
he bad finished speaking the snow
iinaae lint i1s head as if alive, and
stirred lis arms and legs in the snow
a. ii il were a real child.
eaeaYens, what is this" said Ivan
making ,he sisn Of thc cross.
ivan, lvan.9 cried Mary trembling
/ " itil joy. "heaven has heard our
.fravers," She throw her arms abou.
the child end covered it with kisses
As the snow fell away from die
little Girl VANS JOY was as great as
his wifes. 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 life and merrment. The
Village girls soon loved Snyegurka,
aud took the greatest delight in dress
irg her. singing songs to her, and
teaching her all they knew. She
roziced everything and learned quick
IL, for she was very clever Best Of
all she was amiable, obedient and af-
fectionate. Her skin was white. her
hair the color of flax. and her ewes
were as blue as the heavens. Her
cheeks, however. had no rosy hue,
fos She had no blood.
At last the long cold winter was
ended. The snow melted, the grass
became green, and the village girls
went forth singing. Snyegurka, how
ever, did not sing. To Mary's lovins
inquiries as to whether she was i'll
the little girl would answer with g
sigh
mo. mother dear; it's nothing"
AS the days grew warmer and the
birds sang more blithely. Snvegurk;
became more sad. She ran from he.
companions and hid like a little timiG
flower under the trees. Then SUNNI !
came and the Feast of st. John was
at hand The girls on their way te
the woods called for Snyegurka. and
Mary. thinking the outing would dc
her good, urged her to go.
="Take good care of her cammand
cd Mary Il love her better than my
lie
After a day of merry making. gath
ering flowers and singing songs. the
girls made fire of dry grass and sa;
around it, watching the sun set. Each
wore a crown of flowers, and they
said to Snyegurka:
"Watch us; run as we run; follow
wherever we CO."
All of sudden they heard a sigh
"Ah!" They looked at each other
othing was to be seen. but-wherr
was Snyegurka?
"She has hidden herself said one
: They searched for her, calling he1
name again and again. When no
answer came the little girls decideo
she had run home.
Back to the village all hurried bu
ru one had seen Snyegurka. The
older folk searched for days, but nj
trace of the lovely Snyegurka wa
el er discovered, to the great sorrow
CT Ivan and Mary. and all who haC
learned to care for the gentle, love
worthy snow child