the foreigner-第4章

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conscious　of　the　somewhat　scornful　levity　of　the　curious　crowd　of　onlookers　that　speedily　gathered　about　them。　　For　more　than　two　hours　the　religious　part　of　the　ceremony　continued；　but　there　was　no　sign　of　abating　interest　or　of　waning　devotion；　rather　did　the　religious　feeling　appear　to　deepen　as　the　service　advanced。　　At　length　there　floated　through　the　open　window　the　weirdly　beautiful　and　stately　marriage　chant；　in　which　the　people　joined　in　deep…toned　guttural　fervour；　then　the　benediction；　and　the　ceremony　was　over。　Immediately　there　was　a　movement　toward　the　cellar；　where　Rosenblatt；　assisted　by　a　score　of　helpers；　began　to　knock　in　the　heads　of　the　beer　kegs　and　to　hand　about　tin　cups　of　beer　for　the　first　drinking　of　the　bride's　health。　　Beautiful　indeed；　in　her　husband's　eyes　and　the　eyes　of　all　who　beheld　her；　appeared　Anka　as　she　stood　with　Jacob　in　the　doorway；　radiant　in　the　semi…barbaric　splendour　of　her　Slavonic　ancestry。

This　first　formal　health…drinking　ceremony　over；　from　within　Paulina's　house　and　from　shacks　roundabout；　women　appeared　with　pots　and　pails；　from　which；　without　undue　haste；　but　without　undue　delay；　men　filled　tin　cups　and　tin　pans　with　stews　rich；　luscious；　and　garlic　flavoured。　　The　feast　was　on；　the　Slav's　hour　of　rapture　had　come。　　From　pot　to　keg　and　from　keg　to　pot　the　happy　crowd　would　continue　to　pass　in　alternating　moods　of　joy；　until　the　acme　of　bliss　would　be　attained　when　Jacob；　leading　forth　and　up　and　down　his　lace…decked　bride；　would　fling　the　proud　challenge　to　one　and　all　that　his　bride　was　the　fairest　and　dearest　of　all　brides　ever　known。

Thus　with　full　ceremonial；　with　abundance　of　good　eating；　and　with　multitudinous　libations；　Anka　was　wed。



CHAPTER　IV

THE　UNBIDDEN　GUEST


The　northbound　train　on　the　Northern　Pacific　Line　was　running　away　behind　her　time。　　A　Dakota　blizzard　had　held　her　up　for　five　hours；　and　there　was　little　chance　of　making　time　against　a　heavy　wind　and　a　drifted　rail。　　The　train　was　crowded　with　passengers；　all　impatient　at　the　delay；　as　is　usual　with　passengers。　　The　most　restless；　if　not　the　most　impatient；　of　those　in　the　first…class　car　was　a　foreign…looking　gentleman；　tall；　dark；　and　with　military　carriage。　　A　grizzled　moustache　with　ends　waxed　to　a　needle　point　and　an　imperial　accentuated　his　foreign　military　appearance。　　At　every　pause　the　train　made　at　the　little　wayside　stations；　this　gentleman　became　visibly　more　impatient；　pulling　out　his　watch；　consulting　his　time　table；　and　cursing　the　delay。

Occasionally　he　glanced　out　through　the　window　across　the　white　plain　that　stretched　level　to　the　horizon；　specked　here　and　there　by　infrequent　little　black　shacks　and　by　huge　stacks　of　straw　half　buried　in　snow。　　Suddenly　his　attention　was　arrested　by　a　trim　line　of　small　buildings　cosily　ensconced　behind　a　plantation　of　poplars　and　Manitoba　maples。

〃What　are　those　structures？〃　he　enquired　of　his　neighbour　in　careful　book　English；　and　with　slightly　foreign　accent。

〃What？　　That　bunch　of　buildings。　　That　is　a　Mennonite　village；〃　was　the　reply。

〃Mennonite！　　Ah！〃

〃Yes；〃　replied　his　neighbour。　　〃Dutch；　or　Russian；　or　something。〃

〃Yes；　Russian；〃　answered　the　stranger　quickly。　　〃That　is　Russian；　surely；〃　he　continued；　pointing　eagerly　to　the　trim　and　cosy　group　of　buildings。　　〃These　Mennonites；　are　they　prosperousah　citizensahsettlers？〃

〃You　bet！　　They　make　money　where　other　folks　would　starve。　　They　know　what　they're　doing。　　They　picked　out　this　land　that　everybody　else　was　passing　overthe　very　best　in　the　countryand　they　are　making　money　hand　over　fist。　　Mighty　poor　spenders；　though。　　They　won't　buy　nothing；　eat　what　they　can't　sell　off　the　farm。〃

〃Aha；〃　ejaculated　the　stranger；　with　a　smile。

〃Yes；　they　sell　everything；　grain；　hogs；　eggs；　butter；　and　live　on　cabbages；　cheese；　bread。〃

〃Aha；〃　repeated　the　stranger；　again　with　evident　approval。

〃They　are　honest；　though；〃　continued　his　neighbour　judicially；　〃we　sell　them　implements。〃

〃Ah；　implements？〃　enquired　the　stranger。

〃Yes；　ploughs；　drills；　binders；　you　know。〃

〃Ah；　so；　implements；〃　said　the　stranger；　evidently　making　a　mental　note　of　the　word。　　〃And　they　pay　you？〃

〃Yes；　they　are　good　pay；　mighty　good　pay。　　They　are　good　settlers；　too。〃

〃Not　good　for　soldiers；　eh？〃　laughed　the　stranger。

〃Soldiers？　　No；　I　guess　not。　　But　we　don't　want　soldiers。〃

〃What？　　You　have　no　soldiers？　　No　garrisons？〃

〃No；　what　do　we　want　soldiers　for　in　this　country？　　We　want　farmers　and　lots　of　them。〃

The　stranger　was　apparently　much　struck　with　this　remark。　　He　pursued　the　subject　with　keen　interest。　　If　there　were　no　soldiers；　how　was　order　preserved？　　What　happened　in　the　case　of　riots？　　What　about　the　collecting　of　taxes？

〃Riots？　　There　ain't　no　riots　in　this　country。　　What　would　we　riot　for？　　We're　too　busy。　　And　taxes？　　There　ain't　no　taxes　except　for　schools。〃

〃Not　for　churches？〃　enquired　the　foreigner。

〃No；　every　man　supports　his　own　church　or　no　church　at　all　if　he　likes　it　better。〃

The　foreigner　was　deeply　impressed。　　What　a　country　it　was；　to　be　sure！　　No　soldiers；　no　riots；　no　taxes；　and　churches　only　for　those　who　wanted　them！　　He　made　diligent　enquiry　as　to　the　Mennonite　settlements；　where　they　were　placed；　their　size；　the　character　of　the　people　and　all　things　pertaining　to　them。　　But　when　questioned　in　regard　to　himself　or　his　own　affairs；　he　at　once　became　reticent。　　He　was　a　citizen　of　many　countries。　　He　was　travelling　for　pleasure　and　to　gather　knowledge。　　Yes；　he　might　one　day　settle　in　the　country；　but　not　now。　　He　relapsed　into　silence；　sitting　with　his　head　fallen　forward　upon　his　breast；　and　so　sat　till　the　brakeman　passing　through　shouted；　〃Winnipeg！　　All　change！〃　　Then　he　rose；　thanked　with　stiff　and　formal　politeness　his　seat…mate　for　his　courtesy；　put　on　his　long　overcoat　lined　with　lambskin　and　adorned　with　braid；　placed　his　lambskin　cap　upon　his　head；　and　so　stood　looking　more　than　ever　like　a　military　man。

The　station　platform　at　Winnipeg　was　the　scene　of　uproar　and　confusion。　　Railway　baggagemen　and　porters；　with　warning　cries；　pushed　their　trucks　through　the　crowd。　　Hotel　runners　shouted　the　rates　and　names　of　their　hotels。　　Express　men　and　cab　drivers　vociferously　solicited　custom。　　Citizens；　heedless　of　every　one；　pushed　their　eager　way　through　the　crowd　to　welcome　friends　and　relatives。　　It　was　a　busy；　bustling；　confusing　scene。　　But　the　stranger　stood　unembarrassed；　as　if　quite　accustomed　to　move　amid　jostling　crowds；　casting　quick；　sharp　glances　hither　and　thither。

Gradually　the　platform　cleared。　　The　hotel　runners　marched　off　in　triumph　with　their　victims；　and　express　drivers　and　cab　men　drove　off　with　their　fares；　and　only　a　scattering　few　were　left　behind。　At　one　end　of　the　platform　stood　two　men　in　sheepskin　coats　and　caps。　　The　stranger　slowly　moved　toward　them。　　As　he　drew　near；　the　men　glanced　at　first　carelessly；　then　more　earnestly　at　him。　　For　a　few　moments　he　stood　gazing　down　the　street；　then　said；　as　if　to　himself；　in　the　Russian　tongue；　〃The　wind　blows　from　the　north　to…night。〃

Instantly　the　men　came　to　rigid　attention。

〃And　the　snow　lies　deep；〃　replied　one；　raising　his　hand　in　salute。

〃But　spring　will　come；　brother；〃　replied　the　stranger。

One　of　the　men　came　quickly　toward　him；　took　his　hand　and　kissed　it。

〃Fool！〃　said　the　stranger；　drawing　away　his　hand；　and　sweeping　his　sharp　glance　round　the　platform。　　〃The　bear　that　hunts　in　the　open　is　himself　soon　hunted。〃

〃Ha；　ha；〃　laughed　the　other　man　loudly；　〃in　this　country　there　is　no　hunting；　brother。〃

〃Fool！〃　said　the　stranger　again　in　a　low；　stern　voice。　　〃Where　game　is；　there　is　always　hunting。〃

〃How　can　we　serve？　　What　does　my　brother　wish？〃　replied　the　man。

〃I　wish　the　house　of　Paulina　Koval。　　Do　you　know　where　it　is？〃

〃Yes；　we　know；　but〃　the　men　hesitated；　looking　at　each　other。

〃There　is　no　place　for　our　brother　in　Paulina　Koval's　house；〃　said　the　one　who　had　spoken　first。　　〃Paulina　has　no　room。　　Her　house　is　full　with　her　children　and　with　many　boarders。〃

〃Indeed；〃　said　the　stranger；　〃and　how　many？〃

〃Well；〃　replied　the　other；　counting　upon　his　fingers；　〃there　is　Paulina　and　her　three　children；　and〃

〃Two　children；〃　corrected　the　stranger　sharply。

〃No；　three　children。　　Yes；　three。〃　　He　paused　in　his　enumeration　as　if　struck　by　a　belated　thought。　　〃It　is　three　children；　Joseph？〃　he　proceeded；　turning　to　his　friend。

Joseph　confirmed　his　memory。　　〃Yes；　Simon；　three；　the　girl；　the　boy　and　the　baby。〃

The　stranger　was　clearly　perplexed　and　disturbed。

〃Go　on；〃　he　said　curtly。

〃There　is　Paulina　and　the　three　children；　and　Rosenblatt；　and〃

〃Rosenblatt！〃　　The　word　shot　from　the　stranger's　lips　with　the　vehemence　of　a　bullet　from　a　rifle。　　〃Rosenblatt　in　her　house！　S…s…s…o…o…o！〃　　He　thrust　his　face　forward　into　the　speaker's　with　a　long　hissing　sound；　so　fiercely　venomous　that　the　man　fell　back　a　pace。　　Quickly　the　stranger　recovered　himself。　　〃Look　you；　brothers；　I　need　a　room　for　a　few　days；　anywhere；　a　small　room；　and　I　can　pay　well。〃

〃My　house；〃　said　the　man　named　Joseph；　〃is　yours；　but　there　are　six　men　with　me。〃

Quickly　the　other　took　it　up。　　〃My　poor　house　is　small；　two　children；　but　if　the　Elder　brother　would　accept？〃

〃I　will　accept；　my　friend；〃　said　the　stranger。　　〃You　shall　lose　nothing　by　it。〃　　He　took　up　the　bag　that　he　had　placed　beside　him　on　the　platform；　saying　briefly；　〃Lead　the　way。〃

〃Your　pardon；　brother；〃　said　Simon；　taking　the　bag　from　him；　〃this　is　the　way。〃

Northward　across　the　railway　tracks　and　up　the　street　for　two　blocks；　then　westward　they　turned；　toward　the　open　prairie。　　After　walking　some　minutes；　Simon　pointed　to　a　huddling　group　of　shacks　startlingly　black　against　the　dazzling　snow。

〃There；〃　he　cried　with　a　laugh；　〃there　is　little　Russia。〃

〃Not　Russia；〃　said　Joseph；　〃Galicia。〃

The　stranger　stood　still；　gazing　at　the　little　shacks；　and　letting　his　eye　wander　across　the　dazzling　plain；　tinted　now　with　crimson　and　with　gold　from　the　setting　sun；　to　the　horizon。　　Then　pointing　to　the　shacks　he　said；　〃That　is　Canada。　　Yonder；〃　sweeping　his　hand　toward　the　plain；　〃is　Siberia。　　But；〃　turning　suddenly　upon　the　men；　〃what　are　you？〃

〃We　are　free　men；〃　said　Joseph。　　〃We　are　Canadians。〃

〃We　are　Canadians；〃　answered　Simon　more　slowly。　　〃But　here；〃　laying　his　hand　over　his　heart；　〃here　is　always　Russia　and　our　brothers　of　Russia。〃

The　stranger　turned　a　keen　glance　upon　him。　　〃I　believe　you；〃　he　said。　　〃No　Russian　can　forget　his　fatherland。　　No　Russian　can　forget　his　brother。〃　　His　eyes　were　lit　with　a　dreamy　light；　as　he　gazed　far　beyond　the　plain　and　the　glowing　horizon。

At　the　door　of　the　little　black　shack　Simon　halted　the　party。

〃Pardon；　I　will　prepare　for　my　brother；〃　he　said。

As　he　opened　the　door　a　cloud　of　steaming　odours　rushed　forth　to　meet　them。　　The　stranger　drew　back　and　turned　his　face　again　to　the　horizon；　drawing　deep　breaths　of　the　crisp　air；　purified　by　its　sweep　of　a　thousand　miles　over　snow　clad　prairie。

〃Ah；〃　he　said；　〃wonderful！　wonderful！　　Yes；　that　is　Russia；　that　air；　that　sky；　that　plain。〃

After　some　minutes　Simon　returned。

〃Enter；〃　he　said；　bowing　low。　　〃This　is　your　house；　brother；　we　are　your　slaves。〃

It