New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-09
As They Looked in
the CQyYQuSQIeSS
Days Thirty
Years Ago.

thunderous blow on the window shutter which
made the house tremble to its foundations. The
pastor stands dazed in the middle of the room.
So they are there, the dreaded Cossacks.
Should he hide himself and let them 90 on
knocking? Perhaps they would get tired and
90 away. The door is strong and securely
bolted-not easy to burst in. But no, that
would be cowardice. Of the same sort as fleeing
when there was a duty to do Had he not re-
NAMED to face danger? To ask protection for
his church?
new crash on the door, and harsh voice
demands entrance in the formal language Of
military command The pastor hurries to the
spot, pushes back the stout oaken bar and
throws the door wide open. Three Cossacks,
with pistols drawn burst in. a glance into
the yard shows the pastor that about fifty
cavalrymen stand outside with their horses
Carefully, as if guarding against surprise,
the intruders gaze about the room:
Are you the pastor in this village" asks
the leader in contemptuous tone lhere Is
something wild, unruly, almost british, in his
expression and bearing. The pastor realizes
that so far as he is concerned no consideration
is to be expected.
The answers, and looks the Cossack
straight in the eye. "For thirty years have
been the pastor here For that reason | could
not desert nv church. And | implore you In
the name of mercy to spare our poor village
and the church of our Heavenly Father, for ne
is your Heavenly Father as we'll
The answer is a rude laugh, in which the
leaders comrades join.
= I,+O ,Od
that God is neither in your country's nor in
nv countrys churches. He has gone 10 the
front-He, as we'll all the others-and he
knows no mercy. But listen, we can perhaps
make bargain. If you agree to my PROPOSE
ton. then | promise you to spare your village
Otherwise nothing will be spared and you
Yourself will hang from the church clock
tower"
last faint hope awakens in the pastors
breast. He asks the terms of the bargain
Eve must get over the river as quickly as
nossible. The bridge is destroyed. But know
that somewhere in the neighborhood there Is
ford bv which men and horses can easily pass.
| command you to show us the place, ana
nromjse YOU by all the saints that nothing evil
will happen TO you. or your village, or your
church. You have five minutes time In which
TO consider the matter. ! cannot give you
more"
The pastor battles with himself, but not Tor
long. He must betray the ford-hep the
enemy, and get price for 1t? 1t is lmpos-
sible. Better sacrifice his church, his village
even his own life.
Calmly he meets the piercing look of the
Cossack leader and answers:
$50 far as know there is no ford within
several miles 1t has rained much this autumn
and the river is everywhere unusually hlgh.
Yet even if there were ford nothing IN the
u,or,d no pronse and no threat could force
r,s 70 become traitor to my country. am
. lonely old man. but | am a loyal subject, and
would sacrifice everything else to save nv
bo,or 10 with me what you will You cannot
buy me-" .,-
The face of the Cossack is twisted into
bideous grimace lie utters an lnartlcuiate cry
and in blind rage shakes his mighty INST before
the nastor's eyes, as if he would strike MN 10
+ho ground But the pastor does not nincn'
do6antIv he faces his more powerful adversary
Yot the latter does not strike. He suddenly
drops his appraised arm and turns "i'h u
command to a subordinate, who goes out qulcA-
" and as quickly returns. Inc pastor mas
violent start. There in the doorway STANDS '"e
Cossack. He holds by the arm ha1-ero"n'
wounded boy, who writhes, groanihg' unuei '"'
brutal grip Of the captor
In the dim light of the room the pastor i
unable 70 distinguish the face, half hidden III
dirty bandage. but by the uniform ne can tell