The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1854-01-12

ter, for whom the boyar had promised to
provide; and, to do him justice, he tried
to find her husband; but Ratinka had
become SO notable for tongue and temper
throughout the parish, that neither serf
nor freeman could be induced to take her
for better or for worse, even with prom
ised portion of twenty silver rubles.
All his own serfs were unfortunately
married. Theodore Nicklewitz had, there
fore, fixed his eyes on Peter as the only
chance for Ratinka; and, as neither he nor
his mother liked to leave their old cot
tage, and they could not buy Niga's free
dom, the young man was obliged to con-
tent herself with avoiding his intended
spouse as far as possible. When things
were in this, state, a courier from Peters
burg arrived one summer-day at the hof
with great intelligence. A younger broth
er of the boyar's father, who, having no
estate, not liking the church, and still less
the army, had degraded himself in the
eyes of his relations so far as to become a
corn rn-merchant Of course he was re-
garded as blot in the escutcheon: no
one spoke of him even at Christmas
but the man lived long, gathered money,
retired from the business, and died in his
country house near Riga, very old, rich,
and intestate.
Theodore Nicklewitz was his nearest
heir, and an honest lawyer Eve are wri-
ting of olden times) sent him word to
come and take possession. 1t was an
event in the boyar's life, for he had never
been SO far from home, but he sent for
the priest, made his will, and took five
stout men to guard him. Peters master
obtained his inheritance; but so much
time was spent in proving himself the heir
according to law, and in hunting up the
old merchants money where it lay in
banks and bonds, that the corn was reap
ed and housed, the snow had fallen, the
frost set it, and there was safe travelling
over the lake and river, before Theodore
Nicklewitz, with the goods and chattels of
the discarded relative, gathered to the
last rag, and packed on sudry sledges
drove home to his careful family.
Half his servants had been sent for to
help in that home bringing, and among the
rest Peter Letski. The sledge he drove
was borrowed one, and somewhat crazy
on which account it was placed under his
care, for Peter was prudent driver
For the same reason the goods packed in
lit were the very greanings of the mer-
chants country house-old coats, shat
tered crotkery, and odds ands of all sorts,
which the boyar thought might be useful
some day. Peters horse was borrowed
also, and lazy with long service. Vigi-
lance and exertion on the drivers part
were required to keep up with the compa-
ny. Night had fallen on them while far
from the end of their journey; but mas
ter and man went merrily on through the
keen frost and clear starlight. They were
bringing goods and money to the Aof;; the
boyar would be rich man now; the
serfs looked for more liberal housekeep-
ing; and Peter began to speculate on the
probabilities of Ratinka's getting married.
The old horse was going steadily; he drew
his wolf-skin cloak closer round him, and
one dream, may be, followed another
through his brain, till suitor was found,
Ratinka disposed of, and Nigga and him
self dancing at her wedding.
Here sound of somebody stepping in
to his sledge among the rags and crockery
made Peter start and rub his eyes. No
one was these-but he had been asleep,
and dreaming. The horse, left to its own
distanced by the whole company. Peter
couldn't hear a sound of the sledge-bells,
but he knew they were not three versts
from home, for on his right lay ruined
castle, where, it is said, covetous bishop
had lived long ago, and oppressed the
country by exacting tithes and dues, till
the north heathens took the castle, and
hanged him. It's roofess walls stood
gray and lonely on the frozen plain
Peter, expeditiously, urged his horse
onward, till they were fairly left behind;
but, just as he drew up his cloak once
more, and settled himself to go home
comfortably, sharp, shrill voice at his
very side said: "Thats a fine night, Pc
ter LetskiP'
cit is, said Peter, his hair beginning
to rise, for he couldn't see nobody. "Who
are you?"
"They call me Trouble-the house, re.
piled the voice.
'1t is an odd name, friend" said Pc
ter. "Where did you come from?"
"Never mind where I came FROM" said
the voice, in still sharper tone. 'I'n
going home to the hcf with you and the
last of this fine legacy
Peter was frightened into silence by
this statement; he would have Jumped
: out, but the old house had suddenly