The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-06-16
Miscellaneous.
TIL Serf.
AN EPISODE IN RUSSIAN LIFE

,lpTEp FROM THE FRENCH by hAVlNA DICK
~ r,,. in Moscow, that queen OF cities, who all but
n. her sister, St. Petersburgh, in the splendOr and
..,,fcenco Of her mobiles and her buildings; yet not
"a "A, rivals her, for ST. Petersburgh is the abiding
H., If an Emperor, so that she beareth away the
q, She has one jewel more in her corona OF
,.,nobs-sho outvies Moscow, and yet both are no
~ Al, morniicent cities, unmatched and unmatchable
y pr,, in Moscow, when, on bright morning, an
y,,Dt eoupage, drawn by four blood horses, stopp-
.,oro the door OF hotel near the Pont des Mara
,,,,, inhabited by an Engshman, named Bailly,
irs, for his gentlemany vice of gambling and his
,,sus disposition. The bearded coachman on the
~ t,r,, clothed m a Grafton broidered with gold and
st,ped round his waist by rich crazan belt. A
u,,g position, of some twelve or thirteen years,
r,,ou one of the leaders, dressed as an English
key he uttered from time to time those shrill pro-
a ,nsed cries with which the Russians speak to their
horses The out-riders were in dress liveries, with
hreecomered hats bound with silver lace; in fact,
vac snireprochaLe Russian turnout, and betokened
A The presence Of wealth and station in its owner. A
man orabout 80 in the Russian Dress which gentle
h nan Of the remote provinces still wear, descended
A rom the carage, and entered the hotel. His coun
{ finance was open and pleasing; his blond hair min
lied in wnvy length with his fair beard, his whole
appearance that OF man belonging ia the higher
classes Of society. He was announced to Mr. Baly,
nd presented himself with those easy manners Of
r4breeding which serve as excellent passport to
he man who has no other recommendation TO push
hnCn in the world.
TRUST you will excuse my VISIT said he in very
NJ French. q have often met you in public; and
Il nAaken advantage of the circumstance to intro
IS Asnyself 10 you. trust that my errand will f,
pad my excuse ... ....,.
Mt BalAy hastened to offer him a seat, and to re
quest he would not hesitate to say in what way he
might be useful TO him. r..
MY business is of the greatest importance to my
Ulr sir; but before l enter into 1t, must exact
promise on your part to keep my secret, whether you
refuse or grant the service am come TO request.
Anndiscretion this point will render what wish
impossible; but you may feel sure that nothing have
you will in any way compromise you.
BalIy gave the required promise; he already felt
1 ,ymPathy for the young man.
\ MY name is Swerkhoff Feodoroveih am one of
A'fst merchants here; and you; no doubt, know
I what rank we hold amongst the bourgeosie. live
& near you, bu, my house Of business. and my usual
residence is at Toula. have heard, sir, that you
ire an English gentleman, on visit to this city, and
that you play high in games of chance, and honorably
UN more, sir they say you fortunate in your play;
and congratulate you on it, for it is means of
Gaping being made dupe. Excuse me if add, that
Mis-
that have taken the liberty of presenting myself to
you ..
What can my habits and their favorable or unfa-
uable results have to do with your vis;?' replied
B'Iy, somewhat surprised at this opening. SIS il to
compare notes of our luck at cards and hazard that
you are come here7 Pray explain YOURSELF
Not for that,sir; never play. do not know any
pms,'
What is it then?'
COME said the young Russian, solemnly and
ndy-l come to make n communication Of the great
est importance to myself come to beg a favors the
success Ofmy future life depends upon you and your
Y am all attention, SIR ..,a
1haVe heard you praised for your noble and gen
~Oa' character, and have faith in it. I am come
"'J iNo uiiu 'ate III your ndhus. uih cono
"a'k from you that blessing which Englshmau
'N'na'es so highly-liberty!'
m balIy looked al the young man as if he were
O'aO'uI how to credit what he had heard. The
russian seemed to fathom his thoughts, for he has
'ned 10 continue his narrative.
ms seems strange to you coming from me, sir
."0' liberty the first blessing God can give to man,
o lie lis it not, also, the principle ofa that is
y" S"e generous and granda Well, am deprived of
"'ue without which the other life is valueess for
WI ueprVed oft. speak Of liberty as the blind
'A speaks Of the light he signs for, but cannot
.s WI slave and it may rest in your hands to wipe
~"e Opprobrious sign which the law forces US to
gave upon our doors this foul stain, which descends
s'~ generation to generation, like the mark which
'"' almighty laid upon the brow of Cain!' ss.. ar
"Oat have to do with this p said Mr. Bailly.
near my prayer. In the gay world, you often
VIC Count K, an officer in the guards. He
Il 'ns OIL the young men whose names are famous at
II Nugl'h clubhouse. lie astonishes even those
D,,S pay Tor the highest stakes, by bis careless
.., the lavish manner in which he stakes, his