Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-03-15

| oSHuinS hiS Hdnu dHcClOuulclJ 10 luc young
man. i would gladly do more than pity
you. But let us go this way he added ta-
king the direction of path which led away
from the throng; it is more prudent. You
know, perhaps, that the Prince is here"
Yes; but ] could not choose the moment
to speak to you. This evening, believe the
court gives fete at the Retterberk"
Yes"
| You will not return to Vienna, for after
the fete you are to go to the chateau Of the
Count de Solensk"
"Yes."
To play therelp
The whole night, and the Prince will be
there
II was well informed He hesitated
moment, and deep shadow passed over his
countenance
Is not that the livery Of the Prince which
| see near usN asked Sir James
at is"
lie cannot be far off. Shall we not avoid
meeting him?7
with all my heart Not that fear to
be recognized Immediately; long years have
passed since we have met; but | could not
exchange ten words with him without excl
ing remembrances, and all hope would be
lost"
Let US follow this path, then;' and put
ting spurs to their horses, they soon found
themselves out Of sight and hearing of the
chase.
Here, said Sir James. we are safe from
observation
Before going farther resumed the young
Russian, i must ask You to take charge of
this;' handing him pocket-book. within
it are bank notes to the amount OF million
roubies7
" A millionP exclaimed Rally, surprised
out Of his usual calm by the amount.
!" Take it sir, ! beg Of YOU and deign to
listen to me- My father and were born on
small estate near the Volga The estate
belonged TO Prince Gououbskof the father
of the Prince now ia Vienna My father
was attached to his person for long time,
and served him with such zeal and devotion,
that at his death he bequeathed him con-
siderable sum; but unfortunately for our
family he forgot his cnfranchsement. My
father traliicked in furs with Southern Russia
and being intelligent and energetic be grew
rapidly rich. My education was entrusted
to a French emigrant, and to his care | owe
all my subsequent success; for, when ! grew
up, joined my efforts to those of my father
and, extending our Operations to the East,
| doubled his fortune in the course of few
years. Our position as serfs excited the So
lictude of my friend, the Frenchman, and he
urged me to seek an adopted country in the
Western World; but though l ardently de-
sired to draw my neck from the yoke of bon
dagc | could not fly, without leaving my
poor old father prey to my masters'S ven
geanee If | once left Russia finally, the
smallest chastisement for him would be the
loss Of his property and a return to the
rudest labors Of slavery | could not do il.
Besides, ] nourished hope which strength
cncd me each day to await the morrow !
thought that Alexander, who, it was said,
was ambitious of the title Of regenerator of
his country, would associate his name with
the abolition of serytude. But all the phi
lanthropy Of the Emperor restrained as it
was by the hateful and pitiless mobiles, pro-
duccd only the ukase, which forbade the ind-
yidual sale of the serfs; they could only
be sold with the estate had waited in
vain
"Why did you not try to purchase your
self?7
1t would have been useless The great
uuscoyite lords have made q horrible com
pact. binding themselves not to accept the
ransom Of a slave. Are you ignorant that
serf of Count SchcremetoH offered two mil
lion of roubes for his liberty, and was pitt
! lessly refused Yet the Count receives but
small annual tribute from this man; only a
| few roubles; but these great lords find cruel
pleasure in counting in the number Of their
yassals and absolutely dependent on their
caprice. monaires, whose fortunes they
could ruin at a word have borne my hard
lot with the fortitude of Christian. i have
sought to forget it in business and travel and
deeds of charity; but now my courage fail,
for loYe--and the woman who accepts me
for a husband must accept the chain of
slavery"
After moments pause, the young Russian
resumed:
"Prince Gouloubskoh, ] have said, pos
sesses an estate on the borders of the Nolga.
1t counts only fifty hearths yet fhe will not
sell it at any price. But the Prince plays,
and play is with him an unbrided passion,
! for which he will sacrifice everything. In
/ the feyerish excitement Of this passion, he
may be led to risk this estate. If he does
So he may lose. In this Village / was born
my father was born there-my family are
still there-gaiH this village for me-Man,
Englishman, Chrstian-under this triple
title | put my fate in your hands-you have
an unlimited credit over my purse--stake
everything triumph at any price--if fate
sbonn -. = !, ~sinst you, If | must lose every