St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-01-31

cAtcnOAuS ulS uauu duecClOuaUely ~ Lue
young man. 81 would gladly do more
than pity you. But let US go this way"
he added, taking the direction of path
which led away from the throng; "It is
more prudent. You know, perhaps, that
the Prince is here.'
eyes; but could not choose the mo-
ment to speak to you. This evening, 1
believe the court gives fete at the Ret
terburg."
eyes"
"You will not return to Vienna, for aft
CT the fetc you are to go to the chateau of
the Count de Solensk."
eyes"
"To play there?"
"The whole night, and Gouloubskoff will
be there"
81 was we'll informed" He hesitated a
moment, and a deep shadow passed over
his countenance.
:tIs not that the livery of the Prince
which see near us?" asked Sir James
Rally.
"It is"
"He cannot be far off: Shall we rot
avoid meeting him p
"With all my heart. Not that fear to
be recognized Immediately; long years
have passed since we met but could not
exchange ten words with him without ex-
citing rcmembrances, 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 hearing
of the chase
"Here," said Sir James, eve are safe
from observation"
"Before going farther," resumed the
young Russian, "I must ask you to take
charge of this;" handing him a pocket
book. "Within it are bank notes to the
amount of million roubles."
"a million - exclaimed Rally, surpris-
ed out of his unusual calm by the amount.
'Take it, sir beg Of you, and deign to
listen to me. My father and I were born
on small estate near the Volga. The
estate belonged to Prince Gouloubskof,
the father Of the Prince now in Vienna.
My father was attached to his person for
long time, and served him with such zeal
and devotion, that, at his death, he be-
queathed him a considerable sum; but
unfortunately for our family, he forgot his
enfranchisement. My father trafficked in
furs with Southern Russia, and being in
telligent and energetic, he grew rapidly
rich My education was entrusted to a
French emigrant, and to his cares I owe
all my subsequent successes; for, when l
grew up, joined my efforts to those of my
father, and, extended our operations to the
East, I doubled his fortune in the course
Of few years. Our position as serfs ex-
cited the solicitude of my friend, the
Frenchman and he urged me to seek al
adopted country in the western world; but
though I ardently desired to withdraw my
neck from the yoke Of bondage, could
not fly without leaving my poor old father
prey to my masters vengeance. If I
once left Russia finally, the smallest chas-
tisement for him would be the loss of his
property, and return to the rudest labors
of slavery. could not do it, Besides,
nourished hope which strengthened me
each day to await the morrow. I though,
that Alexander, who, it was said, was am
bilious of the title of regenarator Of his
country, would associate his name with the
abolition of servitude, but all tile philan
thropy of the Emperor, restrained as it was
by the hateful and pitiless mobiles, produced
only the ukas, which forbid the individua
sale Of the serf; they could only be solo
with the estate. / had waited in vain. >
"Why did you not try to purchase your
self?"
at would have been useless. The great
Muscovite lords have made horrible com
pact, binding themselves not to accept the
ransom of slave. Are you ignorant tina
serf Of Count Scheremetoff offered two
million Of roubles for his liberty, and wa!
pitilessly refused! Yet the Count receives
but a small annual tribute from this man
only few roubles; but they find crue
pleasure in counting the number of thei1
vassals, and absolutely dependent on thei,
caprice, are millionaires, whose fortune the,
could ruin at word. [ have borne my
: hard lot with the fortitude OF Christian
, have sought to forget it in business ane
travel and deeds of charity but now my
courage fails, for / love-and the woman
who accepts me for husband must accep
the chain Of slavery.
After a moments pause, the young Rus
sian resumed. "Prince ,Gouloubskoff,
r have said, possesses an estate ON the Dor
> ders Of the Volga. It counts only tift,
/ hearths, yet he will not sell it at any pric,
But the Prince plays, and play with hin
is an unbridled passion, for which he viii
, sacrifice every thing. In the fevcrish ex
} element Of his passion, he may be led tt
risk this estate. If he does 50, he may
lose. In this village was born-my faith
er was born there my family are still there
Gain this village for me-Man, English
man ,Chr;at;an an-nndor .fh;a 4.;nlo &;tlo