A Very Interesting Universe you have crafted, Mr. Heretic! I would like to read more about the fascinating point of view a coin has on the world. What do coins think of banknotes?
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anonymous4401,
thanks for that - I was wondering about the banknotes. My (brief) research managed to find some form about 1890 or so, but no earlier (in Russia), so that's why I chose a coin.
Heretic
thanks for that - I was wondering about the banknotes. My (brief) research managed to find some form about 1890 or so, but no earlier (in Russia), so that's why I chose a coin.
Heretic
Baker
Great gouts of steam and little puffs of smoke gushed from the engine at the head of the train. It had recently come to a halt under the giant arches of Odessa station. From the carriages poured a stream of people, a variegated mass of shapes. Peasant women in bright shawls and voluminous dresses tangled with drab, worn men from the factories. Occasionally a soldier in uniform carrying a heavy kitbag would stride through the crowd. Almost lost in the crowd, a little boy descended cautiously down the giant iron steps from the third class carriage.
Clad in his best trousers, which were still only rough Hessian, the boy tried to keep still as people jostled past with sacks and crates. He stumbled a little down the platform, and found himself face to face with an open crate almost full of geese complaining loudly about their incarceration.
It took a little while, but he found his way from the station through the heart of town to Gorky Street. It wasn’t as big as some of the other streets, and it certainly wasn’t as grand. Brave little Vanya pushed open the door, setting the bell rattling, and stepped up to the high counter.
“Please, is my uncle Kirkan here?” he asked boldly
“Yes, I’m Kirkan, who are you?” replied the large, bearded man in the grubby white jacket.
“Vanya Josepevitch, sir, my papa sent here, he wants to find out where my uncle Viktor is.”
“Vanya? Little Vanya? His youngest son? All the way from Petersburg? Well, now this is a thing. Here, come under the counter, let’s see how you have grown.”
And so Vanya found his way to the little bakery on Ultisa Gorky, although as we shall see, finding out about Viktor might have to wait for another day.
Great gouts of steam and little puffs of smoke gushed from the engine at the head of the train. It had recently come to a halt under the giant arches of Odessa station. From the carriages poured a stream of people, a variegated mass of shapes. Peasant women in bright shawls and voluminous dresses tangled with drab, worn men from the factories. Occasionally a soldier in uniform carrying a heavy kitbag would stride through the crowd. Almost lost in the crowd, a little boy descended cautiously down the giant iron steps from the third class carriage.
Clad in his best trousers, which were still only rough Hessian, the boy tried to keep still as people jostled past with sacks and crates. He stumbled a little down the platform, and found himself face to face with an open crate almost full of geese complaining loudly about their incarceration.
It took a little while, but he found his way from the station through the heart of town to Gorky Street. It wasn’t as big as some of the other streets, and it certainly wasn’t as grand. Brave little Vanya pushed open the door, setting the bell rattling, and stepped up to the high counter.
“Please, is my uncle Kirkan here?” he asked boldly
“Yes, I’m Kirkan, who are you?” replied the large, bearded man in the grubby white jacket.
“Vanya Josepevitch, sir, my papa sent here, he wants to find out where my uncle Viktor is.”
“Vanya? Little Vanya? His youngest son? All the way from Petersburg? Well, now this is a thing. Here, come under the counter, let’s see how you have grown.”
And so Vanya found his way to the little bakery on Ultisa Gorky, although as we shall see, finding out about Viktor might have to wait for another day.
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Baker
So, Odessa eh? The warm south indeed; the banks of the Black Sea. Well as far as I’m concerned, I’m still in Vanya’s pocket. I was expecting that he’d have to give me away for some food during the days we spent on the train, but no, he had a big chunk of black bread for his breakfast, lunch and dinner. I even wondered if he would give me to the lady with the samovar at the end of the carriage. At his age though, he only drank a little tea, and the babushka there took a shine to him, and gave it away free.
I had some news from a kopek who just joined us, and that is that the shape of Europe is changing a little. It seems the French are backing the Piedmontese in their bid for Italian supremacy. Going quite well so far, although it seems that the Pope is not yet ready to yield the holy city.
As for Vanya’s little quest, it seems that he is to be Joseph’s eyes and ears. Since none of the family can write, the only thing to do was send Vanya down to find out. Kirkan doesn’t know much, though, since he has been in Odessa for many years now. He can. However, get a message over the sea on one of the fishing boats, so it seems Vanya will be spending some time in the bakery.
So, Odessa eh? The warm south indeed; the banks of the Black Sea. Well as far as I’m concerned, I’m still in Vanya’s pocket. I was expecting that he’d have to give me away for some food during the days we spent on the train, but no, he had a big chunk of black bread for his breakfast, lunch and dinner. I even wondered if he would give me to the lady with the samovar at the end of the carriage. At his age though, he only drank a little tea, and the babushka there took a shine to him, and gave it away free.
I had some news from a kopek who just joined us, and that is that the shape of Europe is changing a little. It seems the French are backing the Piedmontese in their bid for Italian supremacy. Going quite well so far, although it seems that the Pope is not yet ready to yield the holy city.
As for Vanya’s little quest, it seems that he is to be Joseph’s eyes and ears. Since none of the family can write, the only thing to do was send Vanya down to find out. Kirkan doesn’t know much, though, since he has been in Odessa for many years now. He can. However, get a message over the sea on one of the fishing boats, so it seems Vanya will be spending some time in the bakery.
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Hehe. Piedmontese. Is that how you really say it?
I kinda feel bad for some of my coins, now. My brother has a state quarters collection with about a couple dozen coins in it tucked away in a bookshelf somewhere. They've been there for years, and only when my brother remembers it does he put some of the new state quarters in. Man, they must be lonely.
I kinda feel bad for some of my coins, now. My brother has a state quarters collection with about a couple dozen coins in it tucked away in a bookshelf somewhere. They've been there for years, and only when my brother remembers it does he put some of the new state quarters in. Man, they must be lonely.
anonymous4401,
Clearly you fully appreciate an AAR author's need for comments, so thanks for yours. Don't worry about your quarters, I'm sure they are developing a commune or something in that jar - just think of it as a protracted social experiment in coinland
Heretic
Clearly you fully appreciate an AAR author's need for comments, so thanks for yours. Don't worry about your quarters, I'm sure they are developing a commune or something in that jar - just think of it as a protracted social experiment in coinland
Heretic
Baker
Kirkan sighed as he rested his elbows on the top of the counter. All in all it had been a difficult year. What with little Vanya’s visit, and all the fuss that had caused. Kirkan did not mind having to help out the family, far from he, he was glad to do so, it was simply that Viktor had always been trouble.
Sending messages off to the village, care of the fishermen plying the Black Sea had taken a month or two, and then there had been more time waiting for the answers to come back. Kirkan could never leave his shop, since without the daily sales of bread and cakes, the rent could never be paid. If only he had done as well as Joseph, then perhaps he would be sending little boys around the country on the train. Not that Vanya wasn’t capable, it was just the extravagance of buying the rail ticket that made him shudder.
Maybe he should just sell up, and sign on for some of the Tsar’s acres in far off Canady? Start again with a few acres of open ground and a stout log cabin?
No, that would never do – Kirkan was far too used to city life. He would not leave his warm baker’s oven for the cold of the north, oh no. Anyway, it was dangerous out there, what with the Alaska regiments moving south to push back the borders of the empire.
Anyway, daydreams all. Kirkan checked the loaves in the oven, they would need a little while longer. Gone were the days when little Vanya would be sitting on his stool in front of the oven, gazing in to see the loaves rise. It had been touble, yes, but it had also been nice to have the boy around. Kirkan sighed again, since there was little chance he would have a boy of his own.
He daydreamed again, wondering if he couldn’t leave Odessa for somewhere else nice and warm. Perhaps the Mexican coast, thanks to the alliance of the Two Emperors? No, like the wilds of Canady, that was pretty unsafe, with armies lined up all along the border, just waiting for the signal to engage.
Armies everywhere, from the gossip in town, since the unruly Finns had been making a bid for freedom. Alexander Nicholaiivitch would not stand for that, and his armies made sure that his will was done.
Kirkan jolted back to the present, and dashed into the back room, since the slightest whiff of singeing was coming from the oven.
Kirkan sighed as he rested his elbows on the top of the counter. All in all it had been a difficult year. What with little Vanya’s visit, and all the fuss that had caused. Kirkan did not mind having to help out the family, far from he, he was glad to do so, it was simply that Viktor had always been trouble.
Sending messages off to the village, care of the fishermen plying the Black Sea had taken a month or two, and then there had been more time waiting for the answers to come back. Kirkan could never leave his shop, since without the daily sales of bread and cakes, the rent could never be paid. If only he had done as well as Joseph, then perhaps he would be sending little boys around the country on the train. Not that Vanya wasn’t capable, it was just the extravagance of buying the rail ticket that made him shudder.
Maybe he should just sell up, and sign on for some of the Tsar’s acres in far off Canady? Start again with a few acres of open ground and a stout log cabin?
No, that would never do – Kirkan was far too used to city life. He would not leave his warm baker’s oven for the cold of the north, oh no. Anyway, it was dangerous out there, what with the Alaska regiments moving south to push back the borders of the empire.
Anyway, daydreams all. Kirkan checked the loaves in the oven, they would need a little while longer. Gone were the days when little Vanya would be sitting on his stool in front of the oven, gazing in to see the loaves rise. It had been touble, yes, but it had also been nice to have the boy around. Kirkan sighed again, since there was little chance he would have a boy of his own.
He daydreamed again, wondering if he couldn’t leave Odessa for somewhere else nice and warm. Perhaps the Mexican coast, thanks to the alliance of the Two Emperors? No, like the wilds of Canady, that was pretty unsafe, with armies lined up all along the border, just waiting for the signal to engage.
Armies everywhere, from the gossip in town, since the unruly Finns had been making a bid for freedom. Alexander Nicholaiivitch would not stand for that, and his armies made sure that his will was done.
Kirkan jolted back to the present, and dashed into the back room, since the slightest whiff of singeing was coming from the oven.
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Oh, the life of coins!
Heretic, I must say I would never have thought to connect the coin's obverse with the changing of the guard in the Tsar's palace. Quite clever, how you're managing this! I'm enjoying the peeks into the lives of 19th century peasants -- you're quite good at this.
And, Anonymous, I have imprisoned a few coins of my own -- even some Russian ones! -- but I also think they have quite a long life, so perhaps we should not worry so for their fate.
Rensslaer
Heretic, I must say I would never have thought to connect the coin's obverse with the changing of the guard in the Tsar's palace. Quite clever, how you're managing this! I'm enjoying the peeks into the lives of 19th century peasants -- you're quite good at this.
And, Anonymous, I have imprisoned a few coins of my own -- even some Russian ones! -- but I also think they have quite a long life, so perhaps we should not worry so for their fate.
Rensslaer
Rensslaer,
thanks for the compliment - it is nice to see somebody enjoying the things I think up.
Anonymous4401,
yeah, it's odd, isn't it, you'd think they would want to be part of the greatest land empire ever seen
Heretic
thanks for the compliment - it is nice to see somebody enjoying the things I think up.
Anonymous4401,
yeah, it's odd, isn't it, you'd think they would want to be part of the greatest land empire ever seen
Heretic
Baker
Oh it is snug here in the bakery. All those lovely smells, the warm fug from the oven lasting far into the deep of the night. It’s pretty sociable here in the cash drawer too, what with all the money coming in and going out. I’m luckily tucked away pretty near the back, so I think I will stay put for a while.
Yes, it was sad to see little Vanya packed off north again, with no happy news to take with him, but then, life goes on. Speaking of goings on, it seems that our Kirkan is pretty sweet on the widow Kropotkin. She’s one of his regular customers, and it is so funny to watch him trying to concoct something to take her fancy. Let’s face it, his skills do not really lie in the fine patisserie department. And speaking of fineness, he should also perhaps be a little more subtle. Madame Kropotkin would not be in her sad predicament had it not been for the first ‘War of the West’ and now that the second one is underway, unhappy memories cannot be far from her mind.
Speaking of the war, it should be a good opportunity for expansion of the Russian Empire. They have such wide plains out there, it is possible that the Congress will not miss a few acres. Also, our allies have fairly sizable forces.
Size, of course, is not everything. The Mexicans have certainly found that out to their cost. Maybe they are just very badly organised, whatever the reason, they have managed to loose sizable tracts of land to the armies of the USA.
I do hope that they will start to put up a fight before they have retreated all the way to the District Federales. It is a little embarrassing to have allies who are so poor at holding the line.
What’s that? Oh, the tinkle of the bell, and the swish of a full skirt – I think that Kirkan’s favourite customer is back – let’s see what he has for her this time.
Oh it is snug here in the bakery. All those lovely smells, the warm fug from the oven lasting far into the deep of the night. It’s pretty sociable here in the cash drawer too, what with all the money coming in and going out. I’m luckily tucked away pretty near the back, so I think I will stay put for a while.
Yes, it was sad to see little Vanya packed off north again, with no happy news to take with him, but then, life goes on. Speaking of goings on, it seems that our Kirkan is pretty sweet on the widow Kropotkin. She’s one of his regular customers, and it is so funny to watch him trying to concoct something to take her fancy. Let’s face it, his skills do not really lie in the fine patisserie department. And speaking of fineness, he should also perhaps be a little more subtle. Madame Kropotkin would not be in her sad predicament had it not been for the first ‘War of the West’ and now that the second one is underway, unhappy memories cannot be far from her mind.
Speaking of the war, it should be a good opportunity for expansion of the Russian Empire. They have such wide plains out there, it is possible that the Congress will not miss a few acres. Also, our allies have fairly sizable forces.
Size, of course, is not everything. The Mexicans have certainly found that out to their cost. Maybe they are just very badly organised, whatever the reason, they have managed to loose sizable tracts of land to the armies of the USA.
I do hope that they will start to put up a fight before they have retreated all the way to the District Federales. It is a little embarrassing to have allies who are so poor at holding the line.
What’s that? Oh, the tinkle of the bell, and the swish of a full skirt – I think that Kirkan’s favourite customer is back – let’s see what he has for her this time.
Aha! A love interest.
Why does "the widow Kropotkin" sound so familiar? Is this a character from literary's past? Or are you just that good at making strangers seem familiar?
Interesting that Russia has more cavalry than the USA. I notice that Colorado has been claimed by the USA. Red Dawn looms if the Amerussians approach!
Rensslaer
Why does "the widow Kropotkin" sound so familiar? Is this a character from literary's past? Or are you just that good at making strangers seem familiar?
Interesting that Russia has more cavalry than the USA. I notice that Colorado has been claimed by the USA. Red Dawn looms if the Amerussians approach!
Rensslaer
Rensslaer,
thanks for that - no, I can't think of an original 'widow Kropotkin', but I guess the phrase is something of a classic - i refer you to el presidente's intro to 'A Gatherer of Clouds' alluding to archtypes in literature.
Goodness what a waffle.
Well, I can gladly say that with about 1,200 reads, each of the people who have commented must certainly have read it about 120 times each. Or maybe it's made up of people who open the first page, and give up. Oh i don't know. Or care.
On with the show
heretic
thanks for that - no, I can't think of an original 'widow Kropotkin', but I guess the phrase is something of a classic - i refer you to el presidente's intro to 'A Gatherer of Clouds' alluding to archtypes in literature.
Goodness what a waffle.
Well, I can gladly say that with about 1,200 reads, each of the people who have commented must certainly have read it about 120 times each. Or maybe it's made up of people who open the first page, and give up. Oh i don't know. Or care.
On with the show
heretic
Baker
”Ah, Madame Kropotkin, how delightful to see you again.”
“Good morning to you Kirkan.”
“Your usual?”
“Oh yes – what on earth are these?”
Kirkan flushed slightly – his little creations had been discovered.
“Ah yes, I call these my ‘Canady Snowmen’”
“Snowmen?”
“Well, yes, they are just little cakes really, but they have the icing all over the top – and see – little currants where one would put coals for eyes.”
“Oh, how sweet, I’ll take two – did you make them yourself?”
“Of course, it is simple.” His lie was fairly convincing, although if she could only see the many failed creations in his kitchen, she would know how hard he had tried.
“There, two loaves and two snowmen – how much is that?”
“Oh, six kopecks.”
“Ah, that’s why I’ll always keep coming back, your prices are so reasonable for a woman of limited means.”
Again, Kirkan flushed a little – if only he could be more brave, and speak to her more.
“Oh, what happened to the little boy?”
“Vanya? I had to pack him off back to Petersburg – he had some very sad news for his father.”
“Oh another ugly business – why won’t these men just pack in all the fighting?”
“I couldn’t agree more – what the world needs is cakes, not dead bodies.”
Inwardly, Kirkan groaned – how could he avoid making such foolish comments?
“’What the world needs is cakes’ my goodness, I think there’s something in that” sniggered the widow as she left the shop “Do skadanya!”
Kirkan leand over in place as he stood behind the counter to watch the lady walk down the street. He sighed agiain. That had gone well, but he never seemed to be able to move on. Perhaps one day.
”Ah, Madame Kropotkin, how delightful to see you again.”
“Good morning to you Kirkan.”
“Your usual?”
“Oh yes – what on earth are these?”
Kirkan flushed slightly – his little creations had been discovered.
“Ah yes, I call these my ‘Canady Snowmen’”
“Snowmen?”
“Well, yes, they are just little cakes really, but they have the icing all over the top – and see – little currants where one would put coals for eyes.”
“Oh, how sweet, I’ll take two – did you make them yourself?”
“Of course, it is simple.” His lie was fairly convincing, although if she could only see the many failed creations in his kitchen, she would know how hard he had tried.
“There, two loaves and two snowmen – how much is that?”
“Oh, six kopecks.”
“Ah, that’s why I’ll always keep coming back, your prices are so reasonable for a woman of limited means.”
Again, Kirkan flushed a little – if only he could be more brave, and speak to her more.
“Oh, what happened to the little boy?”
“Vanya? I had to pack him off back to Petersburg – he had some very sad news for his father.”
“Oh another ugly business – why won’t these men just pack in all the fighting?”
“I couldn’t agree more – what the world needs is cakes, not dead bodies.”
Inwardly, Kirkan groaned – how could he avoid making such foolish comments?
“’What the world needs is cakes’ my goodness, I think there’s something in that” sniggered the widow as she left the shop “Do skadanya!”
Kirkan leand over in place as he stood behind the counter to watch the lady walk down the street. He sighed agiain. That had gone well, but he never seemed to be able to move on. Perhaps one day.
anonymous4401,
yeah, i'm afraid that the coin is still stuck in the back of the drawer, but as noted, there are far worse places to be stuck.
Heretic
yeah, i'm afraid that the coin is still stuck in the back of the drawer, but as noted, there are far worse places to be stuck.
Heretic
Baker
Oh well, another day, another rouble, as they say. Yes, I’m still here in the cash drawer, all cosy and warm. Which is quite something, since the wind off the Black Sea can be pretty nippy these days.
Word has it that the main fleet has sailed off down the Baltic, heading directly over the Atlantic. Mind you, it’s difficult to tell, since only the admiral really knows where they are heading.
And that’s not all, it sounds as if the army out there is going great guns, advancing left, right and centre, with Russian troops camped on the banks of the mighty Missouri river.
But, the best thing – shall we say the icing on the cake? – is that our allies have finally come up with the goods. We all know that you can’t rely on a Mexican for much, but the Prussians have certainly put in some work. They have made landings on the northern part of the eastern seaboard, in sufficient force to make the occupation stick.
It’s certainly made something of a stir on 5th Avenue, and the producers on Broadway are frantically practicing ‘Eine kleine nacht muzik’ just to keep the occupiers happy!
Oh well, another day, another rouble, as they say. Yes, I’m still here in the cash drawer, all cosy and warm. Which is quite something, since the wind off the Black Sea can be pretty nippy these days.
Word has it that the main fleet has sailed off down the Baltic, heading directly over the Atlantic. Mind you, it’s difficult to tell, since only the admiral really knows where they are heading.
And that’s not all, it sounds as if the army out there is going great guns, advancing left, right and centre, with Russian troops camped on the banks of the mighty Missouri river.
But, the best thing – shall we say the icing on the cake? – is that our allies have finally come up with the goods. We all know that you can’t rely on a Mexican for much, but the Prussians have certainly put in some work. They have made landings on the northern part of the eastern seaboard, in sufficient force to make the occupation stick.
It’s certainly made something of a stir on 5th Avenue, and the producers on Broadway are frantically practicing ‘Eine kleine nacht muzik’ just to keep the occupiers happy!
Good work against that young upstart republic in the Americas!
Interesting to have so many foreign powers crawling all over the hapless USA.
Rensslaer
Interesting to have so many foreign powers crawling all over the hapless USA.
Rensslaer
Aaagh! Germans in New York! Mexicans in Texas! Russians invading the Great Plains!
What else could go wrong for the USA?
How is a coin hearing of all this while stuck in a corner of a cash drawer?
How did a coin acquire such detailed maps?
Germans in New York! Mexicans in Texas! Russians invading the Great Plains!What else could go wrong for the USA?
How is a coin hearing of all this while stuck in a corner of a cash drawer?
How did a coin acquire such detailed maps?
anonymous4401 said:Aaagh!
That's very cool! March forward to victory!