Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28

that rose like waA behind
the little settlement OF Sitka, parted for a
moment, and the sun, a coy. disdainful
guest flung glittering mist over what
Nature had intended TO be one OF the most
enchanting spots on earth, until, In MT
of ill-temper-with one of the gods, no
doubt-she gave 1t 10 Niobe as a perma-
nent outlet for her discomfort. When 1t
does not rain at Sitka it pours, and when
once in a way she draws a deep breath
of respite and lifts her grand and glorious
face to the sun. in pathetic gratitude for
dear infrequent favor, comes Wild hurry
of snow or a close white fog from the in
land waters; and like a great beauty con-
demned to wear a veil through life she
can but stare in dumb resentment through
the folds, consoing herself with the knowl-
edge that could the world but see It must
surely worship. Perhaps, who knows? she
really is a frozen goddess condemned to
the veil for infidelity to him imprisoned
In the great volcano across the sound
who sends up column of light once IN a
way to dazzle her shrouded eyes, and fall
ing that. batters her with rock and stone
like any lover of the slums. One day he
spat forth rock like small hill, and
big enough to dominate the strip of low
land at least. standing out on the edge OF
the island like a guard at the gates and
never part of the allen surface. Between
this lofty rock and the forest was the
walled settlement of New Archangel. that
Baranhov, the dauntless, had wrested from
the bloodthirsty kolosh but short time
since and purposed to hold In the interest
of the INSTRUMENTATION Company his
log nut. painted like the other buildings
with a yellow ochre found in the soil,
stood on the rock and his glass swept the
forest often as the sea.
As Rezanov, on the I'd of July, thirty-one
days after leaving San Francisco. sailed
into the harbor with its hundred bits OF
volcanic woodland weeping as ever, he
gave a whimsical sigh in tribute to the
49,, hra 90 hn
southern land. but was in no mood for
sentimental reminscence Natives, pad
ding eagerly or to sea in their bidarkas
to be the first TO bring in good news or bad
had given him a report covering the period
of his absence that filled him with diSmay.
There had been deaths from scurvy; one
of the largest ships belonging to the COM
pany had been wrecked and the entire
cargo lost: of hunting party of 300 Aleuts
in 40 bidarlas, which had gone from Sitka
to Kadiak in November of the preceding
year, not one had arrived al its deStina-
ton. and there was reason to believe that
all had been drowned or mastered; and
the Russians and Aleuts at Behring's Bay
settlement had been extermtnated by one
of the native tribes.
But the Juno was received with salvos
Of artillery from the fort, and cheered by
the entire population of the settlement,
crowded on the beach. Baranhov, looking
like a monkey with a mummys head IN
which only a pair of incomparably Shrewd
eyes still lived his black wig fastened on
his bald red-frnged pate with silk hand
kerchief tied under his chin. stood, hands
on hips, shaking with excitement and de-
light The bearded long haired priests, in
full canonicals of black and gold. We're be-
side the chief mana ger. ready to escort the
chamberlain to the chapel at the head of
the solitary street, where the bells were
pealing and a mass of Thanksgiving was
to be said for his safe return.
But il was some time before ReZanov
could reach the chapel or even exchange
saiutations with Baranhov. AS he stepped
on shore he was surrounded almost hustled
by the shouting crowd of Russidns-many
of them convicts-Aleuts and Sitkans who
knelt at his feet. cndeavored to kiss his
hand. his garments, in their hysterical
gratitude for the food he had brought
them. For the first time he felt reconciled
TO his departure from California, and
Coucha's image faded as he looked at the
fearful faces of the diseased ill-nourished
wretChes who gave their mite of life that
he might live as became a great noble of
the Russian empire. But although he TIM
gled with pleasure and was deeply moved
he by no means sweled with vanity. for
he was far too Clear-Sghted to doubt he
had done more than his duty, or that his
duty was more than begun He made them
a little speech, giving his word they should
be properly fed hereafter, that he would
make the Improvement of their condition
as well as that of all the employees of the
company throughout this vast chain of set
Elements the Pacific the chief consldera-
ton OF MS lie, ana they DeIltNeu iiiii
and followed him to the chapel rejoicing,
reconciled for once to their lot.
After the service Rezanov went up to the
hut of the chief manager. habitation that
leaked winter and summer, and was equally
deficient In light, ventilation and order. But
Baranhov In the sixteen years OF his exile
had forgotten the bare lineaments of com
fort and devoted his days to advancing the
interests of the company. his nights, save
when sleep overcame him, to potations that
would have buried an ordinary man under
Alaskan SHOWS long before. But Baranhov
had fourteen years more of good service
in him. and rescued the company from In
solvcncy again and again. nor ever played
into the hands of marauding foreigners;
with brain on fire he was shrewder than the
soberest.
chamberlains account of his success with
the Californians and his glowing pic
lures OF the country, noddng every few
moments with emphatic approval. But as
the story finished his wonderful eyes were
two bubbling springs of humor. and ReZ-
anov, who knew him we'll recrossed his
legs nervously.
what is it?" he asked What have l
done now? Remember that you have been
in this business for sixteen years. and 1
one"
How many measures of corn did yols
say you had brought. excellency?
Two hundred and ninety-four," replied
Rezanov proudly.
"A provision that exceeds my most san
Eulne hopes. The only thing that mitigateS
my satisfaction is that there is not mill
In the settlement to grind it
Rezanov sprang to his feet with violent
exclamation his face very red. There was
no one whose good opinion he valued as
he did that of this brilliant dissipated, dis
Interested old genius; and ne felt like a
schoolboy. But although he started for the
door, he recovered halfway. and reseating
himself joined in the laughter of the little
man who was rocking back and forth on his
bench his weakened leg clasped a8Ainst his
shrunken chest.
How on earth was l to know all your
domestic arrangements" he said testify.
God knows l found them limited enough
last winter. but It never occurred to me
there was any mysterious process involved
in converting corn into meal. Is 1t quite
useless, them"
"Oh. no. can boil or roast It, II will
dispose of what teeth We have left but that
will serve the good purpose of reminding
us always of your eXcellencys interest in
welfare"
Rezanov shrugged his shoulders. Give
the corn TO the natives. 1t is farinaceous
at all events. And you can have nothing TO
say against the -four l have brought and
the peas, beans, tallow. butter barley. salt
and sailed meats-in all to the value of
twenty-tOur thousand Spanish dollars"
The chief managers head nodded with
the vigor and rapidity of a mechanical TOW.
ut is a Godsend. Godsend. If you did