Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-09-30

is S1mmerlnS IN cOld, SILVER Sneeu, lnFOW-
ing an uncertain, mystic light on the
family defined landscape. | look back
along the straight, white road with its
tall telegraph posts starting up at regu-
lar intervals. A sudden flash like
golden needle pierces the dim distance.
n ball of gold begins to burn lower
down on the horizon. They are the spire
of the Admiralty and the dome of st.
Isak's in st. Petersburg, which l have
left behind me. Can it be possible that
l have come so far? 1t has been weary
work trudging along that road.
l take out my handkerchief and wipe
the drops from my face, with a woful
stab of dolorous recollection of the touch
of Maruscha's little futtering, solicitous
hands as she put the handkerchief into
my pocket In returning it my hand
comes in contact with q parcel of sand
witches. Again Maruscha! draw them
forth, for I am ravenously hungry.
l eat with vision of her as she stood
at the table in VANS room, forgetful
for the moment Of her grief in minis
tering to my needs, her sweet, pale face
downcast and absorbed.
At last l am treading the margin Of
the wood-am entering its stately aisles.
And now that effort is no longer imper-
ativa, my limbs begin to yield under me.
stagger rather than walk, catching at
the boles Of the trees for support. Yet
a few steps farther into the shade-a
mist rises before my eyes. 1 lurch for
ward-prone on the ground, and become
instantly oblivious
An incessant tapping over my head is
I nf
my eyes in vague curiosity and see the
dark, interlacing branches Of pine tree
above ice, and lower down on the red
stem a green woodpecker diligently at
work.
From force Of habit I insert my fore
finger and thumb in the watch pocket
which was wont to contain a watch,
and am withdrawing it with foolish,
baf1ied laugh, when my finger comes in
contact with some small object. I dive
for it and pull up a watch key; but that
is not all-it is tied with a bit Of blue
ribbon which is attached to something
else. Another pull and I bring to light
Maruscha's tiny watch!
1t is there in the palm Of my hand
the little toy Of q thing she has worn
at her girdle ever since | have known
her. I gaze at it with such mighty
rush of emotion that my whole body
thrills with a sharp shock of electricity.
l perceive that the tiny monitor 1 am
gazing at points to the hour of five.
wind it up, and returning it to where the
tender, subtle fingers had placed it in
Of a surprise for me, scram-
BILE to my feet.
A long, profound sleep in the invigor-
ating atmosphere of the sun-steeped
only my feet that are swollen and pain !
full. and l hobble, rather than walk, to
the margin of the wood. If l can but |
get lift Of any kind, think l will take
a. bed at an inn for this one night to
give my feet chance of recovering.
stand and look up and down the inter
minable road.
In advance there is long cavalcade
Of carts laden with frewood winding
slowly into the distance, each with its
attendant Mujik trudging beside it or
seated on a shaft Of his cart. Toward
me a peddler's wagon lumbers on creak-
ing wheels It's owner sits nodding On
the box, framed i'll the opening of the
canvas tent that arches above him. The
two listle nags crawl along with droop-
ing heads, as if they, too, were INDUCING
in d zap. l take a good look at the
peddle..
He is a middle-aged man, with Q
strong, grizzled beard and broad, Slav
countenance. The nose in it is like
potato There are good-natured creases
about the corners Of the eyes, so l take
courage.
Good day! God assist YOU" 1 ex
claim amicably.
The peddler instantly removes his cap,
while a slow smile gradually spreads
over and broadens his heavy features.
God be with you, Gentle" he replies
"Whither are you bound?" / question
"NIy destination is kovno, but tonight
| make halt at the village of LittlE
Kolga.'
"Ah, that is my way. Would you OBJ
iect to give me a lift for a compensa,
ton 2"
'"rhe Gentle will honor me"' Tha
pedd1er leaps down from his seat with
as much alacrity as his numbering body
and enormous boots will permit would
the Gentle like a seat on the front OF
the wagon, or would he prefer to reclinR
OH the merchandise"
with your permission, little father,
I will get inside l say.
AS advance to mount the wagon he
remarks on the lameness of my gait.
The Gentle has hurt himself?' he OBJ
so~vs%
My boots cripple me somewhat" +
reply carelessly.
THAT is bad, if the Gentle has so far
to CO.
II go to Luga. 1 am a student and
have been sitting rather closely over my
books, so l thought the walk through
the country would clear my brains lit
tle," l laugh.
THE Gentle is right" agrees the ped
dler. There is nothing like the country
air for bracing the wits, or helping one
to think out weighty matter l make
all my calculations in the open. The
Gentle will feel the benefit Of it even
though he should be obliged to continue