The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-12-31

said, Certainly you may stay over
night" for the peasants as rule are
very hospitable, and then invited her
TO join in their evening meal of black
bread. sauerkraut and kvas, which Is a
fermented drink and something like
cider. All during the meal the old
woman fixed her gaze on little Wanka
At last she asked:
How old is the ladF"
Twelve years next month" replied
Ivan.
Twelve years!' exclaimed the wom-
an. Good gracious. He ought to he
twice as tall for that age"
YES" sighed Ivan, and Marnsa. too,
heaved n deep sigh. We've tried
everything. and you see how big he U.s."
"Impossible." cried the woman.
surely you haven't tried the magic
water from the city of Kew
And the old woman told them Of
the virtue OF this magic water, certain
to cure all kinds of ailments She told
OF the many peasants who made pill.
grimages TO this magic spring In Kiev
the blind. the MANNED. the crippled.
the sick-and all were thoroughly cured
when sprinkled with the water. 81
am on my way there now, for my hus-
band Suddenly became blind month
ago, and the magic water will restore
his sight"
"I'l go with you." said Ivan.
Next morning Ivan and the old wo-
man started on their way. Ivan car
ried large sack of dried bread on his
back. The woman had her own. which
she brought the night before, This
bread was the only thing they bad to
eat during the entire journey. and
| Kiev lay many miles away. As they
| travelled on foot. you can perhaps pic.
| ture to yourself some OF the hardships
they went through.
Six months had already elapsed since
| Ivan left home Ii would take him
about two more months yet to reach
| Kiev. But he was not sure he would
| survive.
| One day Ivan fell down by the way
| and was not able to rise. and the 9th
ers continued on their way-there were
so many who dropped down thus No
| he would never see his Mar,iSa again
| and Wanka would remain little. Tie
| lay thus for two or three days. Il
must get there." he hoarsely whispered
| and with great effort he arose nj last
| and started on again. In only one
| more week he would reach the magic
spring.
a L. t... Tor I.l IN AL nl
misery he underwent until he reached
the spring, but ut last he did and SAM
down beside it, scarcely breathing
Others were gathered around tho
spring taking the precious water. anc
when they saw Ivan lying there. ap
parently lifelesS. one of them sprinklet
some Of the water over him Slowl,
Ivan opened his eyes. lie was saved
He was saved. Ivan was naturally
strong man. so It did not take him Ion.
10 recover. Then. filling the iinsl
which he brought along with the eliSi
of life. he began the journey back.
AS Il Jared with him on his way T.
the spring. so IL was OH his return
tourney. and after another eigh
months OF terrible suffering he Ut las
fell on the threshold ~ his own hut
and Marusa had 10 carry him IN Ru
ne was not heavy now he was 81
wasted.
why didn't you drink some OF tn
waterY" she walled rs she took tn
flask from him.
II wanted II all for Wanka" HI
moaned.
"But there is plenty for both" sh
cried. and forthwith she sprinkIed lvn'
with the water. Then she called 4
wanka and sprinkled him too
The next year Wanka was stuWi!
youth and the blessing OF his parents