Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-05-26
CHAPTER XVI.
Hardy Hesitates,

Emery stayed on in Stryetensk,
lengthening his visit into months, and
Hardy became greatly attached to
him, finding the companionship of
this cheerful, bold, resourceful, self
made man an inspiration which the
fellowship of his former society
friends had never afforded him. The
old merchant received frequent adj
vices from his agent in Japan which
confirmed him in the belief that war
was imminent, and Stryetensk, at the
head of river navigation in Siberia
seemed to him the most important of
the company's posts in Russia.
Vasili, who was suspected of hav-
ing been active in exciting popular
hatred against Hardy, whom he re-
garded as having supplanted him, was
transferred to Blagovestchensk. And
during all this time the Korean boy,
whose intelligence and adaptability
were truly marvellous, steadily grew
in favor with his employers. His
progress in Russian was phenomenal
and as it transpired that he also knew
Japanese and some Chinese, he was,
after a couple of months, promoted
from errand boy to the Office, and set
to writing letters.
In the meanwhile Hardy received
another letter from the Princess Ro-
manovna, a chatty, delightful letter
in Russian this time, complimenting
him on his progress in the language,
and telling him much of her own life
and of affairs in Moscow. Among
other things, she mentioned the fact
that she had spoken of his heroism on
the Amur to the emperor and of the
debt of gratitude that she owed him.
She assured him that she would be
glad TO hear from him from time to
time and signed her, Your friend
Elizabetha Romanoyna."
In January. Emery announced to
Hardy one day that he wished the
young man TO take a trip TO Moscow
and perhaps TO ST. Petersburg on
business.
by the way" said Hardy, STAN
mering slightly and feeling a trlfe
confused there is a-ah-matter Of
which | wish TO speak 20 you You
know this country so much better
than |. and it's customs have re-
ceiyed an invitation from the Princess
Romanoyna TO call on her while in
Moscow
II was a little difficult 20 speak 60
Emery on this subject. he was SO
practical and his gray eyes were So
shrewd aud al times twinkled SO
humorously Yet he was thoroughly
kindhearted. be loved Hardy. both
for his own and for his fathers sake.
and he took paternal Interest In tho
young man
rs she the one whom YOU saved
from the Chinese hrlFnndse"
she is the-ah the one whom /
came ~ tho Amur with,' replied
Hardy. mudeatly
Well. 50 and call on her." decided
Emery. without moments Thought
"Yes. but : feel some little hoslta-
t.on She o. "a princess, and : am now
"a merchant, and $50 are boa Russia I
don't Wuut hsr tn feel under the least
obligation tu me Tor what have done
That iH 60 say, DO uut Rant her o.
feel that am taking advantage of IT,
Hhe means an rlsht hut tak.ng ms up
mIahl cause beg snmv litIle lHguuFen.
IrHeg 81 embarrassment llef rela.
Ufes are proud and haushIy ana /
don't belong tl hrr auc.a. aet"
social #at bs bIaukadl FaareH
Emery Haven't 500 Fat that Ha.
tm lamH5 faf aat uf Fuar hs4d ysts
faHfe aH tmer.ran rrnt.emau and
au American frHI.rWan H raHt eam
psuf Hf aHI princess tHat HalsH fHa
Hlfaes "a lha globe Urallrs. be faa
. .Htf aItl Ha aHl tUIa uar FUea rsat
iu maae mefltauf pF.Hee aat 81