Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-06-17
ROM A MTG S 7 % r Y

At recent sitting of the Criminal Court
ofTambf,a province of Russia, 2SS peasants
were tried on charge of putting to death a
Russian noble, under circumstances of
shocking but romantic character, of which
the following arc the details:
On the evening in question all was mer-
riment in the chateau of Sokolin Saw. Cal
ETY. and testivily were the order of the day.
Around a table richly and plentlfully sup
piled with the choicest viands sat II young
officers wearing the costume ofthc Strarodu-
buro regiment. The owner of the chateau
on. Mcerzeloll.) aged about %, had assem-
bled his comrades to celebrate, in manner
worthy Of the occasion, piece of good for
tune Which had happened 10 him, and to COM
mence with gaiety the enjoyment of an I'M
mcnse patrimony, of which he had Just come
into possession. "Anothcr glass of cham
pagne," said Moerzeloll, taking up the bot
tie, and pouring fourth its sparkling contents.
"To the health of the child of fortune"
cried all around, as they followed his exam
pie in filling their glasses. Sin good faith"
SAID one of the guests, "good cheer is a good
thing, but we are wanting at this moment in
the greatest charm of human life" "What
is that 2 demanded the amphytron. "Thc
ladies'" was tue reply. "Ah, the ladies!'
re-echocd all around. "They are not want
ing said the host. "Behold those young
beauties. They shall be to you as the hour
is Of this terrestrial PARADISE He pointed
as he spoke, and X young 1cmalcs w.ro 90 :. :.
entering the chamber, singing in Chorus the
favorite airs Of the country. The little OF
reason which remained to the host and his
guests now disappeared entirely. At the
dessert the male attendants were dismissed
and Meerzclol1, who declared that he was
determined to make his old comrades happy,
directed each Of his guests to choose the one
of the band Of singers which was most to his
taste.
Accustomed from the cradle to a blind
obedience, and well assured that they should
find neither protection nor defence among the
scriS OF SokolIn-Slaw, the poor girls upon
whom the choice of the officers fell quietly
submitted to their fate, with one single ex-
ceplion, namely, that of Maryna, the most
beautiful Of them all, who, taking advantage
of the moment, fled from the castle, and d.
rected her steps towards the countrv.-
"What is this ?" cried Meerzeloll, on hear
ing the rumor other flight, "what savage dare
shake of my yoke | kc Ivan Alexis fly
in pursuit OF Maryna, and let her be brought
back without delay. One Of the men to
whom this order was given was the brother
of Maryna, and the other her allianced hus-
band. They obeycd his commands, how
ever, as they were compelled to do, and
went after the fugitive like dogs in pursuit of
game, and ten minutes had scarcely elapsed
before poor Maryna was brought back, pale,
trembling, and believed with tears. But as
soon as she was restored to the castle Mary
ma and the other damsels were arrayed in
gorgeous dresses, and decorated with pro-
fusion ofgoms and flowers and, night hav-
ing arrived, commenced in saloon refulgent
with light one of those brutal orgies which the
Russian mobiles, with their half savage ideas,
call a "Supper Of Eden.''
BY midnight the sound of music had ceas.
ed in the chateau. Those of the serfs whose
duties did not keep them at their posts had
dispersed in the village. kej-ivan and Ale
Xis, the brother and lover of Maryna, had
retired to cabaret, where, to chase away
the thoughts that disturbed them, they were
drinking freely.
During this time Malta, the favorite of
Meerzeoil, was burning with jealousy. Her
mastcrhad not allowed her to 90 down to the
banquet, lest her beauty should have attrac-
ted the attention of the other officers. She
had, however, Notwithstanding this, been a
witness of the "Drama of love-" and, enrag-
ed beyond measure at what she beheld, resell
we'd to be revengcd upon her lord and lover.
She accordingly went TO the carbaret where
kej-lvan and Alexis were drinking, and re-
preached them with their want of spirit, saw
ing, "Base wretches you sit here drinking
while robbed OF your sister and your wife !"
They denied that they were the base conni-
vers Of their own dishonor. They were
rather the victims of their tyranical lord
Malta continued to taunt them until they be-
came greatly incensed, and were on the point
OF ill-treating her but she said, "for shame
rather be the avengers of your own wrongs
than the assassins of helpless woman" and
continued to work upon their feelings until
she al length made them swear that they
would take no rest until Meerzelofl'had fall
len under their avengng hands. "Vcn-
geance now became the cry, and in less
than half an hour that cry was repeated by
band OF 400 peasants who had been assem-
bled by kei-lvan and his friend
In about three hours after this, and Just
before the dawn of day, while the occupants
OF the chateau were locked in the fast en-
braces OF sleep, band of 400 peasants, each
bearing a truss Of straw, surrounded the
mansion, which, like most OF The residences