The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-08-10

that blessing which an Englshman estimate
so highly-libery2"
Mr.. Bailly looked at the young man as i
he were doubtful how 10 credit what he hat
heard. The Russian seemed to fathom hi.
thoughts, for he fastened to continue hi
narrative.
"This seems strange to you, coming from
me, sir. Is not liberty the first blessing Goo
can give man, after Iifei Is it not, also, the
principle Of all that is noble, generous, ant
grandi Well, am deprived of this life
without which the other life is valueless--fo
ever deprived of it. l speak of liberty a.
the blind man speaks of the light he sigh.
for, but cannot see. am a slave, and i
may rest in your hand to wipe off this ignom
inious stain from my brow-to wipe off the
opprobrious sign which The law force us te
grave upon our doors: this foul stain, which
descends from generation TO generation, like
the mark which the Almighty laid upon the
brow of Cainw
"What have to do with thisa" said Mr.
Bailly.
"Hear my prayer. In the gay world, you
often NEE, the Count k, an officer
in the guards. He is one of the young men
whose names are famous at the English club
house. He asionishes even those who play
for the highest stakes by his careless predI-
galily, the lavish manner in which he risks
his gold"
at is true; and our acquaintance is almost
an intimacy-a friendship"
"Yet dare vouch for it, that it is an init
macy and friendship which is not deeper
than the courtesies of society, for it wants
The basis of all friendships-esteem. You
do not esteem the Count, sir; and in that
you but follow public opinion. He mis-
takes vanity for pride, mpudence for cour-
age, vain and set speeches for erudition; and,
what is worse, there is nothing there" said
he, touching his heart--'absolutel nothing,
neither soul nor feeling. Such is the Count.
Men like this may be known, but they are
never esteemed, never beloved"
"You draw no fattering portrait. Well,
go on"
Gay, 20 on! tell you, sir, with shame
on my brow, and despair in my heart, that |
am that mans slave; he is my MASTER" As
he spoke, the indignant glance ofhis eyes was
dimmed by tears.
Mr.. Bailly was deeply touched; he felt
how terrible such fate must be 10 such a
man as The young Russian. "Compose your
self" said he, warmly pressing his hand
cat present, can only pity you; but show
me how to serve you, and will do it,"
The Russian continued his narrative
'rhe father of the present Count lived on
one ofhis estates near Urel. My father,
who was near him from childhood, gained
his confidence, served him faithfully, and
the Count leti him, when he died, hand
some legacy; but forgot, at the same time, to
give him his freedom. My father embarked
his money in speculation OF furs and skins
to southern Russia, and thus realised rap
id fortuae. From that time he lived on a
par with his wealth. During my infancy,
my father received into his house one of the
victims of the French Revolution, whom ex-
lie had driven to our land This gentleman
was man Of great learning, and he educat-
ed me; in fact, he was quite my second faith
er, and to him am indebted for what little
knowledge possess. Knowing our posi-
ton as serfs, he many times proposed to me
to escape from it, by following him to other
lands; but if could have forsaken my coun-
try, my poor father would have suffered for
my fight, and his least punishment would
have been TO be turned out ofhis elegant and
luxurious home, and forced 10 return to
those labours which can be required from
slave. And another reason, even stronger
than 6lial duty, bound me to this ignomin-
ions vassalage-I loved, was beloved; and
although | repulsed the idea of associating
with my fate that of young high-born wom-
an, who must reinquish her freedom to be-
come my wife, still hoped and fattered
myself that time would abolish those odious
avs, and that it would not be long ere the
Emperor Alexander, the moral regenerator
of his people, would himself break our iron
,oke, and treat US like the peasants who in
labit The shores Of the Baltic, and like the
erfs on some of his imperial domains. l ho-
,ed that, at least free, should lead Eudox-
9 to the altar, not with the woolen bandage
If slavery, but beneath the pure white coro.
,al Of the affranchised bride. have vainly
loped until now. My father died; Icontin-
led his traffic, and extended it even TO the
Cast. In a few years doubled, by my for
unate speculations, the immense property he
eft me-"
"But why not offer to redeem your free
Iom of the Count?"
"He would refuse. 1t tisa principle among
he great Muscovite mobiles never to accept
he ransom of a slave. 1t was but the other
ay that serf of Count Scheremetoff offered ,
wo millions of roubles fol his ransom, and
is offer was refused; yet this man only pays t
yearly tribute of few roubles to the Count. ,
these ron-hearted men are proud Of count ,