New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-12-15
Translated for the Evening Post from the Parser Aens
A Story of Russian SerfdCm.

The coronation at Moscow, which had afforded so
much material for newspaper writer's has had tar
greater interest for the people Of that Empire Inc
serfs of Russia expected from their new emperor
decree of universal emancipation. How sorely nave
they been disappointed the following fact, which was
related to us by most respectable gentleman few
days ago, and which happened only SOM months
SINCE will show. Measure our readers tha ne story
is related without any additions, but just as 1t was
told to us:
The most unfortunate amongst the Wretched serfs
are not those who are born and brought up in ignor.
ance-who labor, think feel, marry and have chill
dren at the command OF their master anu az is' per
form the only free act of their life, namely, to die.
The most unfortunate amongst these wretches are
those who in early youth taken from their families
to be brought up and educated in Their master house,
in order to be the paymates of his children, who can
not find for miles around any companions of their own
station. H& .
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
men, they are cruelty reminded that they are mere
tools. The education of the young mobiles has been
inished-they depart to the capital, enter into
vice and marry The playmates, therefore, are use
less and they are ordered back to their miserable
homes, where misery and hard labor await them and
where they again become mere machines, after hav-
ing been human beings. Only on a few occasions
This was the fortune Of Anna who remained in
theseryice of her master in the capacity ola chamber
maid Her beautiful face and spirited manner had
decided him to select her as a companion for his Sis
ter; and after they had grown up, and she had be-
come still more beautiful and accomplished, she was
retained 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 decacy were outraged, and she repealed
the advances of her MASTER Offended at this treat
ment he banshed her to 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 solitary walk. One
day handsome young officer, who lived near the
estate, happened to meet her and was surprised to
find in such wilderness sensible and welleducated
woman. She, on the other hand, was happy to
find man who could comprehend and sympathize
with her suferings, and their friendship rpened
into love. The affair." however, had an unhappy ter
mnation
The Starost of the village, who happened to know
the cause of her Punishment, and wished to get into
the good gaces of his MASTER did not hesitate to in
form him that serf Anna an unmarried female, was
encente." The nobleman Immediately wrote back
" If in the space of fortnight no serf should be
found who is willing to marry this disgraced person,
she snail BE- according 10 law, drumned out OF the
community"
Now, in Russia it is a terrible misfortune to be
driven away from community, and the unfortunate
serf is from that moment given over to starvation.
peasant seldom maries seduced girl, and the young
officer had already abandoned her
Soon after, her master arrived in the village, and
having questioned the Starost upon the affairs of
8 his souls asked, smiingIy: Has nobody come
to marry AnnaE Eyes, Ossip, the old coachman,' y
was the reply.
The old coachman had indeed become her husband,
to prevent her from being publicly disgraced He as
sured her that he only felt paternal love for her, and
willingly renowned his marital rights. The child
was born, and Anna went as a nurse to Moscow. A
few months afterwards the legal husband hears of
the dssolute life she is leading there, and undertakes
4 journey on foot to Moscow. He finds the stories
true, becomes eXasperated and is in the act of str
ing her. when she falls her knees and begs him to
| forgive her. The old coachman lets his hand sink
and commands her to leave the room. She leaves
He takes razor from his pocket and cuts his throat