The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1914-06-11


were an athletic people, especially
adapted to the management of animals
One of the chief recreations of the peo
pie Of N. was sort of circus in which
the young men performed in gymnas-
tics and trained animals and feats of
horsemanship were exhibited.
At one of these performances a slen-
der young man named Ivan Ivanon.
with a figure fit for a statue, led the
rest In riding. He would ride several
barebacked horses Mt one time, step
ping from one horse to another.
Among those who looked at the feats
of this young man was Nina Dimitri-
eff, girl barely sixteen years old. To
her Ivan, standing erect with foot
on each of two horses, guiding them
wherever he wished. was the most
beautiful sight she had ever beheld.
When he had finished his performance
and stood bowling before the plaudits
of his audience Nina Dimitrieff took
from her girdle bunch of hardy flow
ers that grew wild in the woods of
that region and threw them at his feet
He picked them up. meeting at the
same time her admiring gaze.
In that glance which passed be-
tween these two simple creatures was
an instantaneous fash of love. No
courtship was needed. The mingling
of two spirits was complete. Long as
sociations might strengthen it, as con-
slant use will develop a muscle, but it
was from that moment perfect love-
These two children-they were not
much more than children-iid not stop
to follow out the consequences of this
newborn passion, the nature of which
in their Innocence they did not under
stand Among these people parents
regulate marriages. and no marriage is
permitted except where the bride has
dowry. Nina's parents could give her
no dowry, and Ivan could not afford to
marry her without one.
Not that they would. II left to them
selves, consider this as a barrier. They
would consider nothing but their love
and mate like pair Of doves. 1t was
the older heads of their parents, fore.
seeing the wretchedness Of poverty
for them and their children. that would
keep them apart 1t was some time
before their attachment was discover.
ed, but as soon as 1t was known to
exist Nina was forbidden to have any
thing to do with her young lover.
For some time there were clandes-
tine meetings. usual in such forbidden
affairs. Then, the two being caught to.
gether by Nina's father. he took meas
ures to marry her Off. One of the mar
riage lotteries was about to come OF.
and he arranged that his daughter
should be offered as the prize.
1t was a terrible blow I'd the lovers.
A thousand chances were to be sold at
4 rubles chance. II they were all dis
posed of the bride would have dow-y
of 1900 rubles. or $1,000 of our money,
a very large sum in that region for a
young couple with which to set up
housekeeping. If the chances were not
all sold the deficiency would be made |
up by the Weather citizens OF the vii |
lage. In this case. where Nina was the |
prize offered. the chances would have |
oo"oueSS al oeen soiu nau IL nor Deen |
that her love for Ivan was generally |
known. As II was. but quarter of the |
chances had been taken up. So great /
was the denclency that 1t was doubted |
whether those who usually made up
such sums would do so in this case.
Almost directly north Of N. is Kara.
ID siberia. where political offenders are
sent to work In the mines. n. is the
hearest town or any Importance on the
western side of the border between
RUSSIA ana Siberia. Not long before
the drawing OF the marriage LOTTERY
was 10 take place Ivan and Nina. by
preconcerted arrangement. met In \
woou 70 the nortnward OF the village
ne neeting was not to devise plan.
but to lament together over their an.
preaching separation. They were In
the heart Of the forest under snow lad.
Gu branches wnen. hearing a stirring In
tncket near ny. They turned and 50 A.