Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1856-11-26


completed were blown down and many others
seriously damaged.
an.ated for the Evening Post from the Pariser zeung
A Story of Russian Serfdom.
The coronation at Moscow, which has afford
ed so much material tor newspaper writer's, has
had far greater interest for the people of that
vast empire The serfs of Russia expected from
their new emperor decree of universal emanc-
patton. How sorely they have been disappoint-
ed 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 readers that the sto-
ry is related without any additions, but just as it
was told us:
"Thc most unfortunate among the wretched
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 masters
and at asst perform the only free act of their fe
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 playInates of his children, who cannot find
for miles around any companions of their own
station.
"These serfs are naturally enough brought up
in luxury, receive the same education, are cloth
ed 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 cruel
ly reminded that they mere tools. The edu-
cation of the young mobiles has been finished
they depart to the capital enter into service and
marry. The playmates, therefore, are useless,
and they are ordered back to their miserable
homes, where misery and hard labor await them
and where they again become mere machines,
after having been human beings. Only on few
occasions are they retained as Wallets, &C., in the
house of their master.
''This was the fortune of Anna, who remain
ed in the service of her master in the capacity Of
chamber.naid. Her beautiful face and spirited
manner had decided him to select her as a COM
panion for his sister; and after they had grown
up, and she had become 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 ad-
dresses to her. This is done in Russia every day
and handsome young serfs are often the mistress
es of these young gentlemen. But Anna had
not received her education without advantage;
her feelings of delicacy was outraged, and she
repealed the advances of her master. Offended
at this treatment, he banished 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.
s'Once more Anna was able to read books, to
dress, and even to take an occasional solitary
walk. One day a handsome young officer, who
lived near the estate, happened to meet her, and
was surprised to find in such wilderness SEN
sible and well-educated woman. She, on the 9th
or hand, was happy to find man who could com
prehcnd and sympathize with her suferings, and
their friendship soon ripened into love. The af-
fair, however, had an unhappy termination.
"The Starost of the village, who happened to
know the cause of her Punishment and wished to
| get into the good graces of his master, did not
| hesitate to inform him that serf Anna, an un-
| married female, was enciente.' The nobleman
| Immediately wrote back: If in the space OF a
fortnight no serf should be found who is willing
to marry this dissraced person, she shall be, ac'
| cording to law, drummed out of the community
Now, in Russia, it is a terrible misfortune to
be driven away from community, and the un
fortunate serf is from that moment given over tc
starvation. A peasant seldom marries seduc
ed girl, and the young officer had already aban
| doned her.
''SOon after her master arrived at the village
and having questioned the 'Starost' upon the af
fairs Of his souls asked smingly, has nobody
come to marry Annas' yes, Ossip, the OLE
coachman, was the reply.
''The old coachnan had, indeed, become he
husband, to prevent her from being publicly dis
graced. He assured her that he only felt pa,er
nal love for her, and willingly renowned hi
marital rights. The child was born, and Ann
went as a nurse to Moscow. A few months al
forwards the legal husband hears Of the dissolut
life she is leading there, and undertakes jour
ney on foot to Moscow. He finds the stories true
becomes exasperated, and is in the act of strik
ing her, when she falls on her knees and beg
him to forgive her. The old coachman lets hi
) hand sink and commands her to leave the room
She leaves. He takes razor from his poke
and cuts his throat"
Minority President.
Buchanan is elected President, but is in a
enormous minority. Fremont beat him in tn
Free States tsro ha,dred thousand rotes, Add t
this the Fillmore vote cast in the North, and
leaves Buchanan behind fully half million {
votes in the sixteen Free States. Deduct his 90
|, 600 majority received over Fillmore in the Sl,v