New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-05-11
A Story of Russian serfdom.

The coronation at Moscow, which has afforded SO
much material for newspaper writers, has had far
greater interest for the people OF that empire The
serfs of Russia expected from their new Emperor a
decree Of universal emancipation. How sorey have
they been disappointed, the following fact which
related to us by most respectable gentleman few
days ago, and which happened only some months
since, will show. We assure readers that the
story is related without any additions but just it
was told to us:
The most unfortunate among the wretched serfs are
not those who born and brought up in ignorance
who labor think feel marry, and have children at the
command their MASTER and at last perform the only
free act of their life namely, to die. The most unfor
tunate amongst these WretcheS those who in early
youth taken from their families, to be brought up
and educated in their masters house, in order to be
playmates 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 clothed like
the children of their MASTER sit at the table with
them, contract expensive habits, and forget, in the
course of time, that they are sers until some day
when they in the full consciousness that they
men, are cruelty reminded that they are mere tools.
The education of the young mobiles finished, they de-
part to the capital enter the service and marry The
paymates therefore, are useless and ordered back
to their miserable homes, where misery and hard la
Dor await them, and where they again become mere
machines after having been human beings. Only on
few occasions are they retained vaets etc. in the
house of their master.
This was the fortune of Anna who remained in
the service of her master in the capacity of chamber
maid. Her beautiful face and spirited manner had
decided him to select her as companion for his sis
ter and after they had grown up, and she had be-
come still beautiful and accomplished she was
retained in the house. The young nobleman, once
her playmate, now her master, enamored and
paid his addresses to her. This is done in Russia
every day, and handsome young serfs are often the
mstresses of these young gentlemen. But Anna had
not received her education without advantage; her
feelings of deicacy were outraged, and she repealed
tha nHv Eof bprr DIp6 Mt fraat
ment 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.
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 weleducated
| woman. She, on the other hand, was happy to find
a man who could comprehend and sympathise with
her suerings and their friendship ripened into
love. The affair, however, had an unhappy termina
| tion
the cause Of her Punishment and wished to get into
the good graces of her MASTER did not hesitate to in
form him that serf Anna, unmarried female, was
enciente." The nobleman Immediately wrote back
/ IT, in the space Of fortnight serf should be
found who is willing to marry this dsgraced person
she shall be, according to law, drummed out Of the
| community"
Now, in Russia, it is terrible misfortune to BIZ
driven away from community, and the unfortunate
serf is from that moment given over to starvation
peasant seldom marries seduced girl and the young
officer had already abandoned her.
Soon after her master arrived in the village ant
having questioned the Starost upon the affairs of chi
SOULS asked, smilingy Has nobody come to marry
AnnaT 4" Yes, Ossp, the old coachman, was thu
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.
willingly renowned his martial rights. The child was
] born, and Anna went as nurse to Moscow. A few
months afterwards the legal husband hears of the dis
soae life she is leading there, and undertakes jour
ney foot to Moscow. He finds the stories true be
comes eXasperated and is in the act of striking her
when she falls on her knees and begs him to forgive
| her. The old coachman lets his hand sink ard com
mands her to leave the room. She leaves. He takes
razor from his pocket and cuts his throat.