The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-11-14
AN INCIDENT IN RUSSIA.


ENVERY Russian belonging to that
ID numerous class Of bondsmen called
seris, freed by the Imperial edict of Feb
ruary 10th, 1861, was compelled to serve
his master even with his life, if such ser
vice was demanded. This language may
be understood in its most literal and odi.
GUS sense. OF course, then, the master
was at liberty to interfere in every pri-
vate matter that concerned his erfs ;
and every one, without exception, was liza
BILE to be made to serve him personally,
for time, in the most menial capacity
such, for example, as groom or scullion-
even though by fortuitous circums tances
such as, we will suppose, success in
tradc-he may have become the pos
SCISSOR of handsome fortune, or of other
advantages, either personal or circumstan-
tial.
The Russian of the lower classes is
generally recognized as being an excel
lent tradesman fact that did not es-
cape the observation Of Peter the Great,
it would seem from his reply to deputa-
ton Of Polish Jews who sought an in.
terview with him in order to secure free
trade in Russia 81 don't waLt to hear
anything from you. know my Rus
slams they understand the business of
the shop better than any Of you" he
said.
Many noblemau appreciated this tai
ent in his serfs, and not unfrequently re-
cognized it by selecting a certain number
Of the most intelligent of the young
men among his bondsmen and having
them educated for commercial pursuits
after which he aided them in establishing
themselves. OF course those favored
serfs were expected to pay a considerable
percentage Of their profits to their pa
irons. Others, who were enabled to
establish themselves in trade unaided,
simply asked a permit to live in the towns,
and engage in some branch of industry.
Although this permit cost them very
considerable tax on their revenues, they
nevertheless, in many instances, succeed
ed in acquiring a competence, aud some
times in becoming rich There were serfs
whose possessions were valued at $50 900,
and even more. Having acquired com
petence, they purchased from their lords
one privilege after another for very con-
siderable sums; but what they could
rarely purchase, even with their entire
fortunes, was the emancipation of their
children.
The rich serfs, who lived in the cities
frequently had their children educated
very carefully, and sometimes the young
people we're kept in Ignorance Of the re-
ation in which they stood to some neigh
boring nobleman, as there are always
loving parents who keep their children
as long as possible in ignorance of the
sterner realities of life That, in the case
of the Russian serfs, this was an iil-ad-
vised exhibition Of paternal love can not
be doubted.
The daughters were dressed in silks
and velvets, attended entertainments, and
gave them, and the sons led the lives Of
fashionable young men, until their lord
suddenly came to the conclusion that the
time had come TO teach his proud bonds
men who and what they were. To this
end he would have the accomplished and
delicately nurtured young girl brought to
his palace, and made to serve in some
menial capacity or he would send for
the cultured youth, and make of him an
ostler or field laborer. No plea, no en-
treaty, was Of any avail; the noble(O
master could not be persuaded to deviate
from the usage Of his ancestors, not eve n
if the father of the victim were to sacri-
fee his entire fortune. rJrt3Hf4
After few weeks or months the youth
full serf was allowed to return home.
Crushed in spirit, disgraced in the eyes
of the world, robbed Of everything worth
living for, he would leave the house OF
the tyrant, at liberty to consult his own
inclinations until he desired TO marry.
Then the lord would again have to be
consulted, for without his permission no
marriage could take place.
With what cruelty these Russian serf-
holder sometimes exercised their powers
on these occasions, single example will
sufficiently illustrate.
1t was in the winter of 1859 and go
that l, having just finished my studies,
visited Russian company with uniyer-
sity friend, aud spent some months in
Moscow. The letters of introduction
with which we were provided opened the
doors Of the houses Of many Of the nobili-
ty to us, which was particularly agreeable
to my friend, who was fond Of moving in
brilliant circles. et- g'
One of the most frequeuted aud noblest
houses of Moscow was that of Baron Jab-