Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-07-08

her: then he would threaten to sell her moths
or's furniture to pay the tax and pretended
arrears which she did not owe. Olga was
content with cycling the ribbons askance, and
declared that she would accept no orna-
mcnts except fromhcr aflianced lover. Mar
garct saw nothing in prospective but utter
ruin, or the dishonor of her child. In her
condition, many serfs would have yielded
without hesitation; and even in countries,
where man is not the property of man, vir-
tue rarely triumphs over interest but the
poor woman never hcsitated for an instant.
Olga was her hope, her treasure, her life
she prayed to Heaven to deliverh her daughter
from the snarcs oflhe overseer, or TO give her
strength TO perish.
She went to the priest, revealed to him her
pcrplexities, and asked his blessings and his
counsels. He was one of those lukcwarm
pastors, who sometimes do good, bu, not so
much to concia,e the favor of Heaven as for
the purpose Of adding to the worldly consider
alton, which they are ambitious of attaining.
He had had cause to be dissatisfied with tho
overseer, and he did not fail to avail himself
ofthe opportunity of gratifying his personal
cnmiiy, while claiming the merit of doing
good deed. Accordingly he advanced to
Margaret the money, which Andrew Petro-
witch claimed of her, being well assured
that the gratitude of the good woman would
proclaim his generosity everywhere. The
ovcrsecr, not caring to prosecute family
which the priest had taken under his protec-
ton, concealed his resentment, and deferred
the execution ofhis projects to more favor
| nIIGa Nor W. / IDpO
ing.
One day he entered Margaret's cabin in
triumph; his Joy announced calamity :
Margaret had not the courage to question him.
Rejoice, said he to the poor woman, your
daughter is going to Moscow. The Count
has written to me to bring him an industrious
and modest young woman, and Olga shall
accompany me.
Margaret threw herself in tears at the feet
of Andrew Pc,rowich, and cntrcated him
not to take from her the only support OF her
old age but the overscer was not a man to
be soilcncd by such Il trillc he repeated
coldly that he was under orders, and tina, in
this case the protection of the priest would
avail nothing. OLA herself had the strength
to support the cnrcatcs of her mother and
she was so beautiful in her sorrow that the
passion of Andrew PctrowitcI, was but the
more inhamcd. At last he reduced his COM
pliancc to terms, and specified so clearly the
conditions of his infamous bargain, that Olga
threw herself sobbng into the arms of hci
mother.
Suddenly the young girl, wiplng away her
tears, exclaimed, in resoute voice.
will 90.
That is WELL said the ovcrsecr, a little sur.
priscd will conduct yon to Moscow my.
self; and AS the journey is IA long one, slal
have time 10 instruct you ia tho duty Of ODE.
dcncc.
lie fixed his dedarurc on the morning OF
the following day, and left them to hasten hi,
preparations
Olga bad resolved on her course she took
from her bosom silver ring, which her be-
lrothed had given lpr she kissed il thou
sand times; and sworc to die rather than be
fiinhless to her vows. Margaret regarded
her with mingled affection and fear. She re-
spccird the will of her lord, Of whom TIC
ovcrserr was but the organ, and, having nc
resource in man, she Invoked justice itself al
the fountain of all good but in committing
her sorrows 10 Heaven, she neither dared I,
hope nor adopt decided course for til,
virtues the scriar always those of res igna.
ton. Night soon covered this humble dwell
ling with dark css throughout the country
all was tranquility and rcpose distant bark
| ings alone interrupted, at intervals, the pre-.
vailing silence, and bore testimony to iht
presence Of IA few habitatons in these sy Ivan
soliiudes.
When poor Olga thought Margaret wa,
asleep, she rose softly and kuet al the foo
ofthe bed. After having prayed along time
: she wished to look at her mother for the las
time. The good woman, who had watched
all the movements of the young girl, sat ~
in her bed, extended her trembling hands
and gave her parlin. benediction.
; olga, said she, sobbing, you are going It
leave me. You are going alone to Moscow
, May the good angels be with you'll
She then rose, made bundle of few
clothes, pn, rye.loaf in it, pressed he
daughter to her bosom, led her to the thrcslI'
hold, put few pieces of silver IN her hand
: and ina flood tears, opened the door Of tho
, cabin.
, Adicu, my love, repeated the good wo
: man, avoid the main route, and follow TIT
{ skirts Of the forest.
5 Olga embraced her mother again, made
the sign of the cross, and entered courageous
J ly on her journey.
! The next morning the oversecr knocked
f at the peasants door, and at the sameime :
kibitha drawn by Ukraine horses, stopped a
; a short distance in the road.
/ Margaret, said the ovcrseer, is your daugh
ter not yet ready !
Margaret made 20 answer, but began tt
weep bitterly. 1t would be difficult to con.
, ccivc the anger of Andrew Petrowitch, when
after an hour Of delay and menace, he wal
informed by the good old woman, that he
daughter had disappeared he made, himself
? a thorough search throughout the village, an,
D.. offered the ncighborhood to be secured IL
5 all directions.
In the meantime Olga was travelling alone
3 on the route to Moscow, avoiding the towns
: and hiding hcrsclf in the copscs and thicket
whenever she feared she should be SEEM
Sometimes the roads crossed each other
then, that she might not lose her way, SHE
n took the drpction which the tracks or car