The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-02-13
NO. 40.

udu IlGFeI UCIlCIu lllG' SplGuuOIS VI lldI
ment. Its silver candle-sticks, It's walls
covered with crimson leather, and it's gilt
ceiling, which shone on the wedding festivi-
ties of Theodore's great-grandfather, over
whelmed the CUurland peasant, but his mind
was relieved from the weight Of its magniti-
cence by his master demanding: 90 Peter
Letski, when do you intend to marry Ra-
tinka, my uurse's daughter? will give her
a portion of twenty silver rubles. Father
Michael will be here in three days; and my
will is that you make ready for the wed-
ding"
Master" said Peter quietly, " it is my
fear, that Ratinka might not agree with my
mother
"Your mother" cried the boyar fiercely,
for he had tried the brandy: I'll have no
such excuses. Either marry Ratinka, or
leave my land"
Peter had never seen the boyar so angry,
and he stanmered out in his confusion, I
knew how it would be when Troube-the-
house came after the legacy
1t so happened that Count Ratschoff, VINO
sat drinking with the boyar, imagined, and
not without private reasons, that Peter was
speaking of him; so, with brandy in his
brain he made but one bound from the table
to poor Peter, seized him by the collar of his
sheepskin, and kicked him out of the hof
Though free man, Peter was brought up
in Livonia, and ran as fast as possible from
the Counts boots. The night was pitch
dark, for moon and stars were hidden by a
heavy mist; and when Peter thought of
quickening his pace, neither the hof nor its
dependencies could be seen. There. was a
red CLEAN on the plains before him, which
he took to be the great pine torch shining
/ tborc ncl-ip
was at home that day nursing their COW,
which had fallen sick, and Peter had sad in
telligence for her.
He knew it would break his mothers heart
leave the old cottage, and she didn't admire
Ratinka more than himself; but the young
man resolved to 60 home and take her advice,
anyway. The light guided him steadily
through the mist, but Peter never thought
the way so long. He quickened his pace;
the light grew larger and stronger. Itwasn't
his mothers torch now, but the blaze of
huge fire, which, to Peters astonishment,
rose from the bishops ruined castle, at the
entrance of which he found himself, while
dead horse and an upturned sledge lay close
in the snow.
Peter had good conscience, but he was
! frightened to the heart, when the sharp shrill
voice, once more saIuted him with 80" Peter
Letski that's a fine night" '.@
Middling,' said Peter ''Who are youT
as, looking in its direction, he saw dwarf
ish old man clothed in rags, which had once
been rich fur and velvet, and so thin that his
bones seemed Misunderstanding to raise the
upturned sledge. rlaa1
I'm brother of the traveller you took
home with the corn merchants legacy" said
tie dwarf q.
Are there any more of you ?" inquired
Peter.
"a great family, and like to be greater
replied the dwarf. g Come and help me
to raise this sledge."
els it yours 2" said Peter, who would have
helped anything, as between them the sledge
was lifted, and he, saw it was richly lined
and gaily painted.
Everything is ours" cried the dwarf.
thrusting his hand under the crimson cushion
and drawing out leather money bag
g Take this" he continued, chincking it AT
Peters ear, g and I'll go home VITA you
What are you thinking OF man pas Peter
held back both his hands. This would buy,
the land your cottage stands on and the
boyar would be glad enough to sell it befoGe
my brothers done with it."
6 Irn thinking how my mother would like
it, said Peter,