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

| -'f'N'' "oASp into U III OI laugntCr.
AND art thou fool enough to believe him
why did he not marry thee ct once, instead @
putting it Off ......
Because my master asked o high price 70
my freedom, more than Vladimir then possess
ed. answered Nadegda and also because m
iather could not give me the dowry Vladimir re
quired, for, remember, when am his wife
shall no longer wear the village-dress. am t
haAe a fur cloak, two silk dresses, besides
feather-bed and linen. Father has saved VI
three hundred roubles in money for us and a
the young girl spoke she, drew herself up will
all the pride of a serf about to become free.
They had scarcely resumed their spinning
wheels, when the sound of post-bells in the dis
tanco reached their ears. Moujks were seer
running in all directions, crying, Here come
the master " and MS the carriages approached
nearer, they all uncovered their heads, and as
sisted to push the heavy equipages up the steep
hill leading to the house, several girls standing
near also bowed their heads to the ground, say.
ing,: /" Welcome, father and master. Welcome,
my mistresses, among your own people. May
the Lord bless your high nobility"
As the general descended, he bowed to all
around, and extended his hand for those near
est him to kiss. The ladies stopped also to
speak kindly to some of the women and children
and their hands also were covered with kisses.
As they passed into the house, the peasants sep
arated to their respective homes Nadegda
alone remained lettering about until late, but
she had companion wi o stopped to talk with
her as he passed and repassed nay, more, once
was he actually seen to kiss her. Yes, the serf-
girl was happy Vladimir was true.
That evening Borizof was closeted for some
hours with the general and when he had left
him, the expression of his face was somewhat
discomposed and ruf1ed The subject of their
conference will be learned in the sequel.
Early the next morning, Borisoff sent for the
sarosta, Nadegda's father, and after giving him
orders far the days work, addressed him thus
Sarosta, hast thou attended to the orders |
gave tho respecting the young mems marriages
those uamed on his excellency's list! If not
seeto it without loss of time, for thy master has
had great losses, and needs all the good work
men and, what is more, his temper is not i'm.
proved under the circumstances, and the lads
will be worked all the harder, promise thee
Your honor will be pleased to hear, replied
the old man, that have arranged that matter
as well as possible. All the lads will he matet
this week, except that surly fellow, Kit, who
as your honor knows, is no favorite in the vii
lage, and not one Of the wenehes will consent tt
have him. Indeed, pity the poor thing who
would have to wait upon his old folks. who arc
no better than they should be, if all is true that
one hears.
AS to that, sarosta, thou must arrange it at
best thou canst it is as much as thy place is
worth to tell the general his commands have moi
been obeyed. Remember, thou hast received
the order, and it rests entirely with thee. Hast
thou held out any reward to the girls Or if
that does not have the desired effect, hast thou
promised them fogging all round See what
that will do.
Il fear, your honor RESUMED the sarosta, it
would he Of no avail for it is the belief Of
them all that Kit throws the Evil Eye, and even
the little children run and hide from him rs he
comes up the village. However, l will certainly
do my best.
On their return from work. the sarosta, as
sembled all the girls, and tried in vain the pow
ers of persuasion and threatenings. Kit was
supposed to have something dcvilsh about him
and as the sarosta himself shared in the super
stition, he determined to lay the case before his
master, although not without fear of the con.
sequences. ....
The next morning. as the general sat in his
elegantly furnished study, smoking troupkat,
the slrosta was announced. General Pctrikoif
ordered him to be admitted Immediately. The
old man entered, and, first turning to the pic
ture hanging in the room, crossed himself de.
youtly, then bowed low to his master The
general returned tho salutation, and then bade
him make known his business.
Your high nobility deigned to order, u day
two ago, that certain of your peasants were to
marry. on account of the recruits being taken
this summer Your excellency commands have
been obeyed in all respects save on, for which
humbly beg pardon. Kit, as your excellency
doubtless semembers, was always strange, sur
ly fellow ,
Rnt n good aud steady workman Interrupt
ted the master.
The sarosta proceeded None Of the wenche.
relish the idea of being his wife; and, indeed
to be plain with your high nobility. they on.
and all refuse to have anyshipg 10 do with him
Perhaps your excellency would be pleased t
countermand the order, and let him join the re
cruiting party. The whole village would re
joice to be rid of him..
'Old fool = exclaimed the general, dos
thou think | am going TO part with one OF m.
best hands because you ignorant dogs think hin
bewitched! Since when have the sluts dare'
to have will Of their owni 1t is high time
indeed, l came among you, to teach you you
masters authority! Go, old dog; III see h
gets wife The she-devils shall draw lots fol
him, and thy daughter into the bargain, to pun
ise thee for thy disobedience; and think thy
self well of that send not bundle OF rod
for thee Begone, dog, or l will strike thee
the earth!' So raved the general in his ange
at being thwarted; The old sarosta, trembling
and silent, bowed and lett thereon
Borisoff, tho land steward was next sent for
and ordered to collect, the next morning, all tn
girls above the age of eighteen. And mind,
added the general. they are all forthcoming
the more the nerrier. It will be quite on even