Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-07-26

them advance. for they were all more or less ter
rlfied at the idea of Kit falling to their share.
But none of them looked so pale as poor Mad
egda only the night before, everything had
been settled for the purchase of her eelom.-
She really loved Vladimir, and was beloved by
nm. Occasionally she raised her eyes to see
ii she could catch sight of him but he, poor
se'low' was cot there although free himself,
he dared net dispute the rights of the slavehol-
der.
In vain did the sarosta expostulate, and try
10 console the poor girl, by telling her how
many chances there were in her favor but Ma
degda seemed to be meghed down by q presents
ment of evil, and cried bitterly: soh why
was l born! OH why did not die before this
hour of misefy!'
AS they approached the general stepped out
upon the balcony, followed by the wretched and
unpopular Kit. No sooner did they perceive
the latter, than the girls began calling him ev-
cry horrid name they could think of all but Ma
degda-shehad tainted. They were placed in rows
in front eff the balcony, and Borisoff presented
the general with hat containing the fifty pieces
of paper, amongst which was one with the IA
tai cross marked on it. The general stood on
the steps of the balcony, and desiring that none
should open her paper until the hat is emptied,
the ceremony began. One by one the trembling
girls made the sign of the cross, then thrust in
her hand and drew out paper. All were tax
en-, one only remained. and Nadegda alone was
left to take it, she approached, family and fec
bly, supported by her father. But while in the
act of extending her hand to draw the lot, her
father began to speak
Silence! thundered the general. Unfold
your papers,
As they did so they screamed with delight:
1t is not I = 1t is not = and threw them
selves with their faces on the ground, to thank
the saints for their protection. In the midst of
this general rejoicing, piercing shrek was
heard which make them all shudder it came
from the unfortunate Nadegda. She had drawn
the fatal cross-a cross which mnst be borne, as
such was the will of her earthly master.
She threw herself at the general feet, and in
the most imploring accents besought him.
Father, have mercy upon Inc Master, do with
me what thou wilt; make me work night and
day; put me in the meanest Office and will
not complain; but cannot marry him and
she pointed to Kit Beat me, master, kill me,
if you will, and would thank you on my knees !;
bnt think Of what you are doing. Remember
am '--Bctrothed, she would have added, but
the general roared out with rage:
Take her away take her away!' And
turning to the sarosta Teach your daughter
to behave herself in future, and not to have
such high-aqwn ideas Mind, will have the
wedding overhy tonight To'saying he turn
ed away, the Old man lifted up his fair daugh-
ter in his arms, and carried her away without
word he dared not demonstrate or revolt
The same evening, Nadegda-heretofore the
pride and beauty of the village, but now pale,
cold, and Observation-Disclosures married to Kit,
the general himself witnessing the ceremony.
When it was over he turned to the husband -
3 Well, ny lad, if the girls would not have thee
af their own free will, thou mayest at least
thank thy master for the prettiest lass in the
whole village
There was no merry making at that wedding
the PEASANTS rcturned to their homes with heavy
and resenttul hearts; but not one slept that
night until they had implored the blessings of
the saints on the unfortunate Nadegda.
That day-week, the general took drive thro
his domains The driver, as usual was Vadi-
mir, the Moscow coachman, man so skillful in
his business, 50 careful, 80 conscientious, that
when the reins were in his hands, such thing
as an accident was unknown. On that day the
disappointed bridegroom, it may be supposed,
was not exactly as happy as when talking to
poor Nadegda about their marriage. AT any
rate it was noticed that he was dcathly pale,
and it was noticed that his features had a hard,
rigid, stony look but perhaps this was fancy.
1t may be that his feelings were not the more
agreeable from the sight Of Kits isba as he drove
past, and from the pale, woe-bcgone face in the
interior that at the view fitted across his imag-
inaton like sceptre. Whether this sceptre
continued to haunt him during the drive, and
to glide and float before the horses heads as to
dazzle and mislead his vision, no man knows
The only thing that certain, is, that the car.
riage was upset, and the general with some diff
6culty extrcated from the shattered vehicle,
mortally wounded. He survived only few
hours, and then he died in great agony.
Just before he breathed his last, he murmur-
ed He has cast the Evil Eye on me but no
one understood what he meant.t
This narrative is stated by the writer be true in every
particular.
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