Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-02-17
CHAPTER XIV.-(Continuedl

at the fair of Nishi-Novgorod. Thou art
a big man, brother, and what with the
long gown and high cap of the priest,
thou lookest gigantic"
He takes me by the arm and twists me
Sbout, viewing me from all sides, and
his countenance grows even more grave.
THE priestly garb is mistake" he
mutters, 1T adds to the height, which
Is already conspicuous enough. All eyes
will dwell on thee Not that it Matters"
he adds quickly. $50 that thou art easy
and composed they may stare their fill.
Thy own mother might stare at thee un-
til she grew blind, she would never know
thee to be her sonr'
That she would not" endorses Ka-
latch.
Now Yerack leads the troika into the
middle of the road and unyokes the ad-
vance horse, which he ties with hal
ter to the back of the cart.
1T looks not usual for troika to be
drawing cart of this kind" he ex-
plains. Thus it will appear as if the
beast were being led for sale. Now we
shall do. We are traders journeying
to the fair at Wilma and thou art
priest who has honored us by accepting
a lift. We proceed leisurely for we have
no haste; the fair only begins to-mor-
row. AT the same time, brother SO i'm
posing is thy appearance, that thou look
est out of place in a cart with trading
Cossacks, and therefore at Borlitch we
had better part company and thou wilt
proceed with the post"
But, my good friend, this will cost
money, and 1 am without a copec" /
cry.
~ have enough and to spare"
"Yerack, how can l take so much
from theeY' l exclaim, deeply moved by
the Cossack's generosity. Thy devo-
ton l can never repay, but the money
thou art laying out on me l may some
day be able to refund. Give me some
address to which I may send it. Surely
In time shall work for the means to pay
my just debts"
BAIL Keep thy mind easy and make
not a mountain of a mole hill! What
are few roubles to me? l have neither
kith nor kin, and what shall l do with
superfuity? Let ME put trifle Of 1t to
a good use. l have taken a fancy to
thee. my son. I beg thee, let lonely
man have his whim!'
Yeracks voice shakes a little as he
speaks. His face is averted. What can
! reply to this? Nothing. My trembling
lips refuse to form even word of
thanks. Silently l wiring my benefac-
tors hand.
1t is still very, very early when we
reach the town, yet before we arrive
at the inn where Yerack halts we have
encountered many people, but all Of the
lowest orders. l have had to respond to
many greetings, and am made thorough
ly uncomfortable by the obvious sensa-
ton l create. l feel relieved to enter
the dark fore-place Of the inn, with its
small dirty windows, and l hear Yerack
give vent to a sigh which l know is Of
relief.
The innkeeper comes yawning to meet
us, from an inner room, putting up his
blouse. He stops with one arm above
his head as he sees Yerack, and his
brows 60 up. They are evidently old
friends, these two.
"Yes, 1t is myself, Thoma Fedorei-
WITCH" says Yerack, grinning from ear
to ear. "And l want to drop word
In thy ear, little father" With this he
takes the man apart and whispers to
him, during which the listener glances re-
peatedly in my direction, his small eyes
beginning to twinkle, and his mouth wild
ening to a grin. Sometimes he puts a
question.
At length the confabulation comes to
an end, and the innkeeper, after signing
to us, leads the way through a passage,
and opens the door of a small, dingy
room at the back Of the building We
enter, and he leaves US, shutting the
door.
"Thoma Fedoreivitch is a safe man"
observes Yerack, knowingly. That
kind of man is always safe so long as
YOU grease his palm. Thoma and have
had our little transactions together"
The landlord returns bearing a tray
with breakfast. The repast consists of
raw salt herring, preserved mushrooms,
and white bread.
"Ah, am as hungry as hawk" says
Yerack, taking up a herring by the tail
to hold it over his mouth and crunch 1t
up.
l take the opportunity to ask for writ
ing materials, and II it Is to be had, a
stamp, as 1t is still too early for the
postofice to be open.
"Certainly, Holy Father" responds
the landlord, with twinkle in his beady
eve. 81 can furnish your Holiness with
ALL"
Another burst Of laughter from the
Cossacks, while the speaker crosses his
hands on his breast and bows low before
me ere he goes. He brings me the pa
Der In his dirty finger and thumb 1t is
creased and soiled, the pen splutters and
the Ink is Of the consistency and color
of mud, but they suffice me to write
these lines:
"On receiving this, lose not an hour
In procuring thy passport, but travel
day and night. / hope to precede thee,
and will await the arrival Of all trains
from Konigsberg. Should be deferred
seek our brother, Conrad Rosen, Stein
Strasse, No. 70, who will advise and
II. th.o To noasihle send warning