The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-02-13

ton of twenty silver rubes.
All his own serfs were unfortunately mar
ried. Theodore Nicklewitz had, therefore,
fixed his eyes on Peter as the only chance
for Ratinka and as neither he nor his
mother liked to leave the old cottage, and
they could not buy Niga's freedom, the young
man was obliged to content himself with
avoiding his intended spouse as far as pos
sible. When things were in this state, a
courier from ST. Petersburgh arrived one sum-
mer's day at the hof with great intelligence.
A younger brother of the boyars 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 merchant. OF course he was regard
ed as blot in the eScutCheon no one spoke
of hm even at Christmas but the man
/ lived long. gathered money, retired from bu
sness, and died in his country-house, near
Riga, very old, rich, and intestate.
/ Theodore Nicllewitz was his nearest heir,
and an honest lawyer 1--WE are writing of
olden times) sent him word to come and
! take possession. 1t was an event in the
! boyars 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 reaped
and housed, the snow had fallen, the frost
set in, and there was safe travelling over
! lake and river, before Theodore Nicklewitz,
with the goods and chattles of the discarded
relative, gathered to the last rag. and packed
on sundry sledges, drove home to his careful
family.
Half his servants had been sent for to
help in that home e-brnging, and among the
rest, Peter Letski. The sledge he drove was
a borrowed one. and somewhat crazy, on
which account it was placed under his care,
for Peter was a prudent driver. For the
same reason, the goods packed in it, were
the very gleanings of the merchants coun-
try-house-old coats, shattered crockery, and
odds and ends of all sorts, which the bovar
thought might be useful some day. Peters
horse was borrowed also, and lazy with long
service. Vigilance and eXertiOnS on the dri-
vcr's part were required to keep up with the
company. Night had fallen On them when
far from the end of their journey, but mas
ter and man went merrily on through the
keen frost and clear starlight. They We're
bringing goods and money to the hof; the
boyar would be a rich man now; the serfs
looked for more liberal housekeeping 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 around him, and one dream,
maybe, followed another through his brain,
till suitor was found, Ratinka disposed of,
and Niga and himself dancing at her we'd
ding.
Here sound of somebody stepping into
his sledge among the rags and crockery, made
Peter start up and rub his eyes. No one
was there-but he had been asleep and
dreaming. The horse left to its own discre-
ton, had been distanced by the whole com
pany. Peter could not hear the sound of
Isledge-bells, but he knew they were not
three versts from home, for on his right lay
ruined castle, where, it is said a covetous
bishop lived long ago, and oppressed the
country by exacting tithes and dues, till the
northern heathens took the castle, and hang
ed him. Its roofess walls stood gray and
lonely on the frozen plain, Peter urged his
horse onward till they were fairly left behind;
but, just as he drew up his cloak once more,
and settled himself to 90 home comfortably,
a sharp, shril voice at his very side said :
"That'S fine night, Peter Latski."
1t is, said Peter, his hair beginning to
rise, for he could see nobody. "Who are
Iyou?'