The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-09-17

which led away from the throng 1T is
more prudent. You know, perhaps,
| that the Prince is here
Yes but could not choose the mo-
ment to speak to you. This evening 1
believe, the Court gives fcte on the
Rcfterburg'
Yes
You will not return to Vienna, for
after tho fete you are to go the chateau
of the Count dc Solcmsk
Yes
ITO play there2'
'Thc whole night, and Gouloubskof
will be there
Il was well informed He hesitated
a moment. and a deep shadow passed
over his countenance.
rs it that the livery of the prince
which I sec near us?' asked Sir James
1T is
He cannot be far off Shall we not
avoid meeting himl'
With all my heart. Not that fear.
ed to be recognized Immediately, long
years have passed since we met; but l
could not exchange ten words with him
without exciting remembrance. and all
hope would be lost
LET us follow this path then : and,
putting spurs to their horses, they soon
found themselves out of sight and hear
ing of the chacc.
Here said Sir James we are safe
from observation
Before going further resumed the
young Russian, L must ask you to take
charge oc this handing him a pocket
book. within it are bank notes to the
amount Of million roubles
"A million !" exclaimed Rally, sur
priscd out Of his usual calm by the a.
mount.
Take it sir, beg of you,and begin to
listen to me My father and | were
born an a small estate near the Volga.
The estate belonged to Prince Gouloubs-
kotf, the father of the Prince now in
Vienna. My father was attached to his
person for long time, aud served him
with such zeal and devotion, that. at
his death he bequeaihcd him a consider
able sum but unfortunately for our
family he forgot his enfrauchiscmcnt.
My father trailicked in furs with South.
orn Russia, and being intelligent and
energetic, he grew rapidly rich My
education was entrusted TO French
cmigrant, and to his cares owe all my
subsequent success for, when grew up,
| j 'ined my efforts tn those Of my father,
aud extending in our operations of the
east, | doubled his fortunes in the course
Of few years Our position as scrfs
excited tho soicitudo of my friend, the
Frcnchman, and he urged me to seek an
adopted country in the Western World;
but though arlently desired to with
draw my rcck from the calling yoke of
bondage | could not fly, without leaving
my poor old father pr'y to my masters
vengeance. If once left Russia final
ly, the smallest punishment for him
would be the loss Of his property and
return to the rudest labors of slavery
| could not do it. Besides, l nourisbcd
a hope which strengthed me to wait 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
serytudc But all the philanthropy of
the Emperor, restrained as it was by
the hateful aud pitiless mobiles, produ.
ced only the ukasc, which forbade the
individual sale of the sorfs-tbey could
only be sold with the estate. l had
waited in vain
Why did you not try to purchase
yoursef2'
1T would have bocn useless. The
great Muscovite lords have made n hor-
rible compact, binding themselves not
to accept the ransom Of n slave Arc
you ignorant that a serf of Count Schcr.
mekof ofl'crcd two millions of roubles
for his'liberty, and was piIilessly refused
! Yet tho count receives but a small an.
nual tribute from his men-only a few
roubles-out these great lords find
cruel pleasure in counting in the mum.
Der of their vassas, aud absolutely de.
pendent on their caprice, millioueries
whose fortune they could ruin at word
have bore my hard lot with tee forti.
tudc Of Christian. | have sought to
forget it in business and travel, and
deeds OF charity-but now my courage
fails, for | love--and the woman who
accepts me for husband must accept
the chain Of slavery. After m lment's
pause the young Russian resumed
Prince Gouloubskof, / have said pos.
sessed an estate on the borders of the
Volga. 1t counts only fifty hearths. vet
he will not sell it at any price. But
the Prince plays, aud play with him is
an unbrdled passion, for which he will
sacrifice every Thing, In the fevcrsh
excitement Of this passion, he may be
led to risk his estate, If he does SO, he
may loose. In this village | was born
my father was born thore-my family
are still there. Gain this village
for me Man, Englishman, Christian =
under this triple title ] put my fate in
your hands-you have an Unlimited cred
it over my purse-stake everything-
triumph at any price. If fate should be
against you--I must lose every thing
and yet remain slave, will bless you at
least for having tried to break my
chains
4 accept the task, said Sir James
gravely.
This night2'
| Il i .