Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-07-24
CHAPTER xxx.

CHAPTER xxx.
1t is evening; the sun is sinking
slowly behind the Wiltshire hills. and
crimsoning the latticed window OF
Marley schoolhouse, where, wrapped
in yaceful repose, May and Carrie
spend their unevantful DAYS; it drops
also into the murky, smoky haze OF
Lon1on, glittering redly on the car
riasos as they roll homewari from the
ra,k, and tints the delicate. peachlike
face of Rose Vavasour, as she leans
back in Lady Letchford'a barouche,
cts rising. smiles beaming in respect
full ed admi: ing adieux.
It sets, too on a far different scene
on somber, rocky pass far away IN
mysterious Asia. sinking slowly. not
to tne hum of the school children. or
the rattle and luz Of fashionable
London life. but to the sound OF the
hugle, the cry of the sentinel, and the
dull boom of a cannon which belches
forth a flying shot across the crimson
plain.
Surely. the sun can never get tired!
The most Unsuitable traveller and
novelty monger can scarcely envy old
SoPs experience through one single
day.
Ice, snow, fiery sands, and fierce
siroccos. smiling English meadows,
voluptuous vineyards, vast rolling
prairies and wild, rugged passes, they
all fall to his days work: and his
beams, God-like, smile on fair and foul
alike, and even as he smiles down on
an English valley like Marley sinking
to it's peaceful repose, ne needs must
smile On the rocky pass, the grim and
sternly solemn fortress far away in
Asia.
Yes while the languid yotaries of
fashion are trotting home from the
Row, while English villagers are wend-
ing homeward from their days toll,
the bugle winds through the fowery
plain, and the hatchery of the sentinel
rises to hush the sun to rest.
For the game which kings and en-
perors love is in full swing, and is be-
ing played out to the dire end.
The dogs of war have been let loose
over the land. and rapine and ravage
stalk hand in hand. with the black
vulture Of famine and disease hover
ing over their heads.
1t is hard to believe, out here in the
grim fortress in the east, hard to be-
lieve. and while the bugle rings in
ones ears, and one watches the fiery
shot and shell flying overhead; while
ones eyes rest only on armed men,
end all the paraphernalia Of war--that
smoky, gay and pleasure-loving London
lies so near-a bare three days jour
icy.
But so it is. brief as is the time
required to make the journey, the
space, SO far as the public is con-
cerned, for it is surrounded by hostile
force, shut in by tightly-drawn cord
Of armed men, and as fully cut off from
the world as if raging seas divided it.
For months the kingly game of war
has been going on. Blood and treas
ure beyond all human calculation has
been lavished on the royal sport
Turkey lies bleeding at the feet of
Russia-a1l, say the wise men, is over,
and the great, all-powerful bear has
won the game, and is already tear
ing it's prey.
But though the game is won, there
are still some audacious players who
refuse to leave the fatal table. still
cling to their cards, and decline to
acknowledge themselves beaten.
Russia may be at the very doors Of
Constantinople, may be at this mo-
ment debating terms-hard terms-of
peace at San Stefano, but there is still
strong place here and there which
refuses to acknowledge itself beaten,
and Which, with the bravery of despair,
holds its own and dares the invader
The sun sets tonight on one of them.
A small. but hardy fortress. standing
between two edges of iron-like rock,
and frowning defiance on the armed
host that stretches out on the plain be-
fore it.
Nothing can be game; by such re-
sistance; sooner or later the brave lit
tie place must fall; but there are GER
tain spirits within the grim walls that
refuse to know when they are beaten
and that have resolved to dare the foe
even to the bitter END.
That is to say that, within this rock
bound fortress, are gathered together
a little band Of men springing from
certain Isle Of the Sea, whose children
apt enough in other lessons. obstinate
~ refuse to know when they are
beaten.
Russia may rage, beating herself