Читать книгу Two Suns - Дмитрий Наринский - Страница 4

Since as far back as he could remember, Leonid had always fallen asleep to the soothing sounds of rolling wheels. The rhythms of the railroad, the glimmering lights, and the steam locomotive's gentle hum mesmerized him. Vast expanses, uncharted lands, and unfamiliar bustling cities called out to him. It seemed that life without the railroad was unimaginable!

This sentiment was deeply rooted in the Mirachevsky family, as they frequently had to relocate due to the zealous work ethic of its patriarch, Mikhail Mirachevsky, an esteemed employee of the Kiev-Poltava railroad. Though their stations changed (currently being Solonytska), their apartments shifted, the railroad remained a constant presence.

Similarly steadfast were the household rules established by Olga Mirachevsky, the capable young mistress of the house. The position of assistant stationmaster demanded diligence and responsibility, and Mikhail entrusted the management of their home unconditionally to his wife. Despite being twenty years her senior, he guided her with affectionate tutelage, recognizing Olga's competence in handling any task. Under her watch, the house was always immaculate, and a delectable dinner awaited them each evening, complemented by a well-tended vegetable garden.

Their love for their son, Leonid, was not indulgent, yet neither were they excessively strict. The warmth of home and a sense of security was what they wholeheartedly provided him.

Mikhail was strict at work, but at home, he was kind, flexible, and exceedingly caring. With his son, he eagerly shared his knowledge and expertise during any free moment, as if keen to impart all he knew.

Fishing did not particularly captivate the young Leonid, but he delighted in crafting trains and animals from wood and clay. However, the most captivating moments were when his father began taking him along to inspect neighboring whistle-stops.

Leonid fondly recalled that spring day, shortly after Easter, when his father whispered the words at dawn:

«Rise and shine! We're in for an adventure!»

Devouring his breakfast, he eagerly inquired minute by minute:

«Where are we headed? What will we be doing?»

Mikhail smiled mysteriously, heightening the sense of anticipation. Only when his father placed him onto the waiting handcar did Leonid realize that a grand journey lay ahead.

His inaugural ride on the handcar was a marvel: the rhythmic clatter of the wheels, the spring breeze caressing his face, the trees flashing by, and the clouds racing across the high blue sky! It made him want to throw back his head and shout with unbridled joy, though the rush of emotions momentarily stifled his breath…

Leonid cherished his father's stories about road construction, about the challenges of laying tunnels and building embankments and bridges. To him, being a railroader was undoubtedly the most esteemed profession in the world!

And then, there were his mother's tales, whether true accounts or folklore, Leonid listened to them with rapt attention. It was no surprise that Olga always carried herself with grace. She proudly narrated the legacy of her great-grandfather, Arkady Shpirkan, who had served as the estate manager for Count Hercule Morkoff and was rumored to be the count's illegitimate son. Olga took pride in recounting how A. Suvorov himself acknowledged the Count's valor, and during Napoleon's invasion, he led the Moscow People's Militia and earned accolades for his role in the Battle of Borodino.

Arkady had even established an extensive garden and constructed a house on the Chervona farm in the Podolia Governorate, which became the Shpirkan family's cherished home.

Yet, Leonid was most intrigued by the contemporary events his mother shared. Olga's uncle, the intriguingly named Aristoky, had served as an assistant captain on the famous yacht «Shtandart,» and this granted him acquaintance with Tsar Nicholas II himself. To Leonid's astonishment, strict court protocols were abandoned on the yacht, and officers and sailors freely mingled with the royal family, even chatting with the grand duchesses. Aristoky had, in fact, had the privilege of dancing with them.

Leonid relished this particular anecdote, which revolved around the sailors donning Roman soldier armor for a theatrical performance. They were instructed to maintain stern expressions while looking at their commander. However, upon seeing the royal family seated opposite, they couldn't help but smile.

«What's wrong with that?» Leonid chuckled.

«Imagine! The play was unfolding with tragedy on the stage, the commander rallying them for battle, and there they were, smiling, glancing at the royal box,» Olga recounted with amusement.

Envisioning sailors in sandals staring at the Tsar And Tsarina, Leonid erupted in laughter.

As he understood it, Aristoky thoroughly enjoyed serving with the Sovereign Emperor.

But there was another uncle, Markel, of whom Olga spoke reluctantly and sparingly, and Leonid only learned the details later. Markel held contempt for the Tsar, viewing him as an oppressor of the working class, which led him down the path of revolution. He formed a circle, distributing revolutionary pamphlets among the gymnasium students in Kamianets-Podilskyi, raising funds for a printing press, and even managing to establish one. However, they still lacked the funds they needed. Consequently, Markel resorted to robbing the post office, resulting in injuries to a courier and a policeman. He was subsequently apprehendd, along with all members of the circle, and put on trial, an affair of national importance heard in Kiev. Markel was eventually sentenced to penal servitude, followed by exile to the distant region of Yakutia. Upon his return, he rekindled his involvement in the revolutionary cause.

«What a life!» Leonid marveled. «They've been to so many places and witnessed so much!» In his imagination, he pictured himself as a courageous captain weathering a storm or a pioneer in Siberia, much like Yermak Timofeyevich.

With such extraordinary ancestors, Leonid couldn't help but believe that fate had something equally extraordinary and fascinating in store for him!

* * *

To tell the truth, Leonid's daily life also boasted plenty of extraordinary experiences. How many could claim to have bathed in a river with brackish water or luxuriated in the lake aptly named «Salty»? The village of Solonytsya itself seemed to announce its presence on saline soils. The local water bodies teemed with delectable fish, a true delicacy…

During the summer, the village children flocked to the lake with enthusiasm. Upon reaching its shores, they promptly shed their clothes and dove into the water, creating majestic fountains of splashes and savoring the brackish taste on their tongues. After their invigorating dip, they engaged in their cherished game «Chumatskiy Shliah,» (Chumaks' Route) a tribute to the ancient path to the Black Sea, once trodden by the salt-carrying Chumaks.

Alas, true salt marshes eluded this locale, but the boys delighted in discovering spots where salt crusts formed along the lake's edge, particularly during the heat. Their fervor knew no bounds as they diligently extracted salt grains, relishing the endeavor, and ultimately devouring their prized salt-infused rye bread with sheer delight!

* * *

Upon completing elementary school, new adventures beckoned. In the village, there existed only a one-class public school – a zemstvo school, so for further education, Lubny, the district town, was their destination, merely a few versts (miles) away by train. The railroad assumed an even more prominent role in Leonid's life…

The jaunts on the train proved thoroughly enjoyable. Amidst exuberant banter and playful jostling, the boys hopped aboard the local train and reached their destination with infectious excitement. However, amidst the boisterousness, one girl stood out by her composure. Olga Gurko, who was familiar to Leonid, seemed to exude an air of calm majesty as she gracefully found her seat and settled in. It was on one fateful day that Leonid Mirachevsky took particular notice of her and saw her in a new light… As neighbors, their fathers worked together – Sergei Gurko served as a railway foreman at Solonytska station.

Perhaps, the pivotal moment occurred when Ivan Shramko, always in a hurry and making a ruckus, accidentally pushed Olga while boarding the train. She stumbled precariously, nearly losing her balance on the elevated steps. In the nick of time, Leonid reached out from above, clasping her under the arm:

«Hold on!» he exclaimed, chastising his comrade. «Ivan, what are you doing?!»

«I didn't mean to; it was an accident,» Ivan retorted in his characteristic manner. «In any case, she didn't fall, did she?»

«Thank you,» Olga responded with grace.

«And weren't you frightened?» Leonid inquired with genuine concern.

Her face illuminated with a serene, grateful smile. A smile that was undeniably beautiful…

From that moment onward, Leonid began to view his neighbor with newfound attentiveness, subtly assuming a protective role over her.