| Author: | Sylvanus Cobb, Jr. | ISBN: | 1230000148617 |
| Publisher: | WDS Publishing | Publication: | July 6, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Language: | English |
| Author: | Sylvanus Cobb, Jr. |
| ISBN: | 1230000148617 |
| Publisher: | WDS Publishing |
| Publication: | July 6, 2013 |
| Imprint: | |
| Language: | English |
The time at which we open our story is midwinter and toward the close of
the seventeenth century. Russia had passed through the long and bitter
ordeal of national night. The Tartar yoke had been worn till the very
bones of the nation were galled, and when this was thrown off civil
dissensions and insurrections commenced. The Poles and Swedes plundered
the country, and amid general tumult and confusion some half dozen men
were clamoring for the throne. At length a few patriotic citizens,
pledging everything they held dear on earth to the cause of freedom from
this curse of anarchy and headed by a noble prince and a humble,
patriotic butcher, made a bold stand to save the country. Moscow was
retaken, and Michael Romanoff was chosen czar, and this illustrious
family still occupies the imperial throne. And now the day of Russian
greatness dawned, but the sun was not fairly up and the broad light
opened not upon the empire until Peter came to the throne.
In the department of the Sloboda--the suburbs of Moscow--and very near
the river Moskwa stood a humble cot, the exterior of which betrayed a
neatness of arrangement and show of taste that more than made up for its
smallness of size. Nor was it so very small, in fact, but only in
contrast, for near at hand about it stood many large, shabby, dirty
looking structures that overlooked the prim cot, as bleak mountains may
look down upon a verdant hill. And within this cot was as neat as
without. The two apartments in front, one of which was only used in
winter, were furnished not only with neatness, but with a fair show of
ornament and luxury. Back of these were a large cooking and dining room
and two small bedrooms, and back still from these were an artisan's shop
and other outbuildings. The shop was devoted principally to the
manufacture of firearms. Some swords and other edged weapons were made
here upon special application.
The time at which we open our story is midwinter and toward the close of
the seventeenth century. Russia had passed through the long and bitter
ordeal of national night. The Tartar yoke had been worn till the very
bones of the nation were galled, and when this was thrown off civil
dissensions and insurrections commenced. The Poles and Swedes plundered
the country, and amid general tumult and confusion some half dozen men
were clamoring for the throne. At length a few patriotic citizens,
pledging everything they held dear on earth to the cause of freedom from
this curse of anarchy and headed by a noble prince and a humble,
patriotic butcher, made a bold stand to save the country. Moscow was
retaken, and Michael Romanoff was chosen czar, and this illustrious
family still occupies the imperial throne. And now the day of Russian
greatness dawned, but the sun was not fairly up and the broad light
opened not upon the empire until Peter came to the throne.
In the department of the Sloboda--the suburbs of Moscow--and very near
the river Moskwa stood a humble cot, the exterior of which betrayed a
neatness of arrangement and show of taste that more than made up for its
smallness of size. Nor was it so very small, in fact, but only in
contrast, for near at hand about it stood many large, shabby, dirty
looking structures that overlooked the prim cot, as bleak mountains may
look down upon a verdant hill. And within this cot was as neat as
without. The two apartments in front, one of which was only used in
winter, were furnished not only with neatness, but with a fair show of
ornament and luxury. Back of these were a large cooking and dining room
and two small bedrooms, and back still from these were an artisan's shop
and other outbuildings. The shop was devoted principally to the
manufacture of firearms. Some swords and other edged weapons were made
here upon special application.
