The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-27
A STORY OF RUSSIAN sERFDoM.

Translated for The Ev Post from the PARSER Zeitung
The coronation at Moscow, which has afford
ed so much material for newspaper writers,
has had far greater interest for the people of
that vast empire. The serfs of Russia expected
from their new Emperor decree of universal
emancipation. How sorely they have been
disappointed, the following fact, which was
related to us by most respectable gentleman
few days ago, and which happened only some
months since, will show. We assure our read
ers that the story is related without any add.
tons, but just as it was told to u.s.
"The most unfortunate amongst the wretch
ed serfs are not those who are born and brought
up in ignorance-who labor, think, feel, marry,
and have children, at the command of their
master, and at last perform the only free act of
their life, namely, to die. The most unfortunate
amongst these wretches are those who in early
youth are taken from their families to be
brought up and educated in their masters house,
in order to be the playmates of his children,
who cannot find for miles around any compan-
ions of their own station.
"These serfs are naturally enough brought
up in luxury, receive the same education, are
clothed like the children of their master, sit at
the same table with them, contract expensive
habits, and forget in the course Of time that
they are serfs until some day, when they are
in the full consciousness that they are men,
they are cruelty reminded that they are mere
tools. The education of the young mobiles has
been fnished-they depart to the capital, enter
into service, and marry. The playmates, there
fore, are useless, and they are ordered bacHto
their miserable homes, where misery aud hard
labor await them, and where they again become
mere machines, after having been human
beings. Only on few occasions are they re-
tanned as vatets, &C., in the house of their
master.
"This was the fortune of Anna who re-
manned in the service of her master in the
capacity of a chambermaid. Her beautiful face
and spirited manner had decided him to select
her as companion for his sister; and after
they had grown up, and she had become still
more beautiful and accomplished, she was re-.
tanned in the house. The young nobleman.
once her playmate and now her master, was
enamored, and paid his addresses to her. This
is done in Russia every day, and handsome
young serfs are often the mistresses of these
young gentlemen. But Anna had not received
her education without advantage; her feelings
of delicacy were outraged, and she repealed the
advances of her master. Offended at this treat
ment, he hanishsd her to q distant estate, where
she was condemned to hard labor. An old
coachman, who lived upon this estate, had pity
upon her, and helped her to perform her task.
"Once more Anna was able to read books.
to dress, and even to take an occasional scl:ta.
ry walk. One day, handsome young officer,
who lived near the estate, happened to meet
her, and was surprised to find in such a wilder,
ness q sensible and well-educated wGman. She.
on the other hand, was happy to find man
who could comprehend and sympathize with
her suiferings, and their friendship soon rpened
into love. The affair, however, had an unhappy
termination,
"The Starost Of the village, who happened
to know the cause of her Punishment, and wish
ed to get into the good graces of his master,
did not hesitate to inform him shat serf Anna,
an unmarried female, was enceintc.' The noble.
man Immediately wrote back IF In the space
of q fortnight no serf should be found who is
willing to marry this disgraced person, she
shall be, according to law, drummed out of the
community
"Now, in Russia, il is a terrible misfortune
to be driven away from community, and the
unfortunate serf is from that moment given
over to starvation. A peasant seldom marries
seduced girl, and the young officer had already
abandoned her.
"Soou after her master arrived at the village,
and having questioned the 'Starost upon the
affairs of his SOULS asked, smilingly, HAS
nobody come to marry Anna?' yes, Ossip,
the old coachman,' was the reply.
"The old goodman had, indeed, become