Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-11
EVENING STAR.
THE RUSSIAN SLAVE.

clng ana gaming, regattas, lllumlnatlons, hre-
works, everything which the Imagination
of these "kings taking holiday" Amid the
programme of festivities prepared by the I'm
perial committee, there figured a stag-hunt,
and the woods in the neighbOrhOOd of Schoe
brunn were gay with the crowd assembled to
witness or participate in the sport. One per-
son alone, elegantly dressed and mounted on
high breed steed, took a part in the amuse-
ment of the day. His eyes were intently fixed
on Sir James Rally, an Englishman, noted for
his wealth, his eccentricities, and his passion
for play; he followed him wherever he went,
and seemed to attract his attention.
"What does this mean ''' said Sir James to
himself. Twice my eyes have encountered
this young man, and he has made the same
mysterious gesture | cannot be decided it
is intended for me - and he turned horses
head towards the stranger. The latter seeing
the movement, advanced TO meet him.
Sir" said he, bOwing low, {; L have had
the honor to meet you before"
Yes" replied the Englishman, who was
vainly interrOgating his memory: q" Yes, your
face is a creditors which torments me, and
which L cannot satisfy by giving him the
name that he asks for"
You have never known my name. We met
at Moscow"
"In society ?"
No; at the Hotel Sans Souci, and in pub
lie places. Pardon me if, with only this title
to your notice, have ventured to accost you
at 50 inOppOrtune an hour. The Importance
Of the motive will, hope, be some excuse to
mind so generous as yours"
What can l do for you 20 said Rally, in
tone of extreme courtesy; yielding TO the sym
pathetic interest which the pleasing face and
manners of the young man had inspired.
81 have come to ask for liberty"
''Of me?''
'Of youu
Are you not mistaken ?" asked Sir James
with some hesitation, not knowing what to
make Of such Of this singular demand Il
am Sir James Rally, an Englishman by birth,
remarkable for nothing but a love of play
And success in it; cried the young man
g 1t is my only hope If L should tell you,
sir, that it is perhaps reserved for you to res
cue fellow man from an opprObiOus eOndi-
tlun, to efface from his brow a mark which de-
votes him to humiliation and scOrn, what would
you reply"
" You embarrsss me, for L do not see what
such an hypothesis can have to do with a gen
tleman like yourself"
"a gentleman Yes, by elevation of soul;
perhaps also, by education; but not by the ac-
cdent of birth. L am slave"
''YOu ~ said Rally, with astonishment.
MY name is Smerkof-F FeodOrwitz, and the
estate on which l was born belongs to Prince
GOuloubskUff "
How can serve you" asked Rally, ex
tending his hand afectionately to the young
man. Il 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 L could not choose the moment
to speak to you. This evening, believe, the
count gives fete at tho Retterburg."
Yes"
You will not return to Vienna, for after
the fete you are to go to the chateau Of the
Count de Solensk."
eyes"
"To play there ?"
"The whole night, and Gouloubskoff will be
there"
Il was well informed" He hesitated a
moment, and a deep shadow passed over his
cOuntenance.
"Is not that the livery of the Prince which
L see near u.s." asked Sir James Rally.
"It is"
" He cannot be far off Shall We not avoid
meeting him ?''
with all my heart. Not that fear to be
recognized Immediately; long years have pass
ed since we met; but l could not exchange ten
words with him without exciting remem-
brances, and all hope would be lost"
" Let Us follow this path, them and put
LlhS cPuAe w tuClI bOIcOs) lucy bUOu lOuHu
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, :" must ask you to take charge Of
this" handing him pocket book. within
it are bank notes to the amount Of a million
roubles."
"a million ~ 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 l were born on
a small estate near the Volga. The estate
belonged to Prince Gouloubskoff, the father of
the Prince now in Vienna. My father was at
tached to his person for long time, and
served him with such zeal and devotion, that,
at his death he bequeathed him considerable
sum; but unfortunately for our family, he for
got his senfranchisement My father traficked
in furs in southern Russia, and being intelIi-
gent and energetic, he grew rapidly rich. My
education was entrusted to French emigrant,
and to his cares l owe all my subsequent sue
cess 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 Il few years. Our positions as
serfs excited the solicitude of my friend, the
FreRchman, and he urged me to seek an
adopted country in tho W Western World but,
though l ardently desired to withdraw my
neck from the yoke Of bondage, l could not fly,
without leaving my poor old father prey to
my masters vengeance. If once left Russia |
finally, the smallest chastisement for him |
would be the loss of his property, and return |
to the rudest labors Of slavery. L could not |
do it. Besides, 1 nourished hope which |
strengthened me each day to await the morrow
L 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 servitude But all the philan- |
throphy of the Emperor, restrained as it was |
by the hateful and pitiless mobiles, produced |
only the ukase, which forbid the individual |
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'"
" 1t would have been useless. The great |
lords have made horrible COM
pact, binding themselves not to accept the
of a slave. Are you ignorant that a
serf of Count Scheremetoff offered two millions
of roubles for his liberty, and was pitilessly
refu sad Vet the Goup racaivas hut II |