The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-11-10

the ladies' that they might have short rest
ut u CON miortahc post-housc we had reached,
ioined Ivan. offering him share of my
brandy bottle, aud asked him if he had not
been long In the service Of Count Vladi-
mer. tH
~ am q serf, born on his land" was the !.
reply 'and my father was before me-"
"ls he not good mastcr?" Inquired
"ile Is, indeed, my lord,H for so he per-
sisted w calling me. "Ahl ~ all vassals 700
were So Fortunate as have been. Russia
would be different country from what IL
is"
/ snid Ibclcvrd his master trusted him.
laud ] would do the same. ! wanted 10
know what J had best dp, as Ind not "a
passports for two OF my daughters, aud
dared not apply to the officials OF the fron-
tlcr towns. 'i M W
81 fear yop would not be allowed to l.f
pass he said "buto could not you get them p
Across the river Mcmcl aud then pick them
up after going through the nearest town. e
"llow lo YOU mean 2" ! inquired. 1
when we get near to Meretch," Ivan d
answered, II could turn asidc, for know
the part quite well. The river must be
frozen hard AT this time and or my lord
might take the Young ladies over leaveiH
them at a cottage close TO the banks OF the
Memcl, and then return to the carriage aud
drive to Mcrctch, where you can show
yOur pupcrs,N
1hs plan ! deemed feasible, although
the idea of leaving two young girls at lnr
mercy of strangers was rcpugnant to my
feelings but when | told my daughters
about it they both declared that they had
no fear, and TINT they would much rather
cross the Ice than be detained perhaps for o.
weeks ut MCrctch.
On the banks of tile river another dinl-
Guilty arose. There was no passport for
Plvm, and yet we were unwilling TO part y.
from him. ~
My lord must condescend TO act as,
driver" said lyail, Sand can sec the young
ladies across the river and protect them
from danger lr necessary. Or can stay
with the carriage, and on arriving at Mp.
rctch pretend to return to st, Petersburg,
and sczc the first opportunity OF crossing
the river"
The lust plan would have taken too much
time so told him we had fun confidence
In Him, ana promised him handsome re-
ward ifw reached Paris IN safety and so
we parted. HtI
We had not much trouble at Mereich.
When | produced my passports ! said my
business was of Importance; nm hour saved
was sometimes worth fortune to
merchant like me, and if the official would
kindly assist me by paying my dues that
were required, should feel cvcrlastingly
indebted to him So saying, I Slipped a
bag of money iuto his willing hngers lie
gave u look of Intelligence glanced ut my
passports aud begged mo not TO dismOunt
There should not be hindrance if he had Do,
thopowcr to prevent It, H..alJt ..
When out OF the town my heart bouud-
ed. We were once more free. | trusted 70
Join The girls h ul hour or So, aud lost no
lime ON tlr road; but The path was u wind
ing ont, sud there were numerous cross
rOods. However took the river as my
guide and In course of time We reached 4 i
cottpgr. but could hear nothing of our lit-t
tie party. Further on We met an old wo- g
mau, who made ~ understand that She had
seen two girls, whom a Russian was taking
b fore thc authorities, aS he feared teSa
Vverr ~pics. "But they booked both good
and modest, and my heart achcd for them"
she added with sigh Amer giving her
Grille We Fastened on, and suon overlook
my wCGry chilGrrn. Ivan had seen some
military resting IN the cottage when he .u
pecped w through the narrow window, and
feared that unpleasant inquiries might be
made, 50 he coneocted THIS story. which
he was sure would win the heart Of any
peasant, ..t. ... .5# i.
The girls told me that the poor woman
had been very Kind. She had brought them
black bread aud cheese iu her apron and
mlk from her littlc dairy, though lvnnhad
pretended that he could not allow them to
stop aud resi- Ny daughters said they
would never forget his kindness and
thoughtGlilnoss; and. indeed, ne had proved
u most Glithtul servant; he Is now my Ia.
gamckccpcr at----, His master lhoughtit
would be scarcely prudent for him TO return
to Nndimpr ''.
4 DAY later | could not have left the cap !
iLal, for should have been in prison; for
the authorities had heard that ! was con
nectcd with the English press. Nothing
could he more absurd; but such is Russia