Iermola Part 27

In the cemetery of Horodyszcz may still be seen the tomb of Radionek, whose history the people relate, embellis.h.i.+ng it with a thousand wonderful, almost superhuman circ.u.mstances. Not even a poor cross of black wood marks this neglected tomb; but the white and pink thorn gives it the fragrance of its flowers and the velvety verdure of its leaves.

At the door of a neighbouring church there has stood for a long time a little old man, bent, decrepit, called by the people of the vicinity old Father Skin-and-Bones, because it seems that his skin, yellow, wrinkled, and sadly withered, alone holds his bones together.

On Sundays the villagers gather round him to laugh at and tease him; for who would not laugh to see him constantly hugging in his arms an old doll, wrapped in rags like a baby swaddled in its long clothes? He rocks it on his heart, and sings it to sleep, now and then kissing it, talking to it in a low voice, and often weeping over it. He thinks he is still caring for, rocking and petting his darling child, the poor old beggar, skin and bones, Iermola, the poor old father.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: The name given to the dwellings of the n.o.bility.]

[Footnote 2: A disease of the hair peculiar to Poland.]

[Footnote 3: A sort of boat or raft.]

[Footnote 4: Presents usually made by a young peasant of these countries to a young girl whom he asks in marriage.]

[Footnote 5: Popular proverb, signifying that nothing is impossible.]

[Footnote 6: A sort of cake thrown into warm water and then baked in the oven.]

[Footnote 7: G.o.d has pity on the orphan.]

THE END.