Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-12-02

| the poor man Was led at once to the castle of
the Count, which was situated near the town,
to be examined by him. and explain how he
obtained possession of the broken chain.-
After the examination he was either 10 be set
at liberty or delivered up to Justice.
When the postillion had heard this sad news
he raised his eyes to heaven, and exclaimed,
in firm, confident tone. aGod is on our side
Away then to the castle of Silowitz P'
Without delay he started athither. Night
came on. The north wind ragged, whirlcd up
the snow, and hovled through the pine forest.
For few moments the moon shone through
the dark cloud, aud with its pale light illu-
minated the vast snowy plain. The town Of
Astrachan, through which Peter must pass to
reach the castle of Silowitz, is situated on an
island formed BY the river Vclga. Here he
was obliged to rest himself and refresh his
tired horse. though haste was important, but
sftsrward he went forward all the quicker
The second day had already almost closed in
when he reached the Counts castle, and begged
to be led at once before the Count, as he had
| an important message to deliver to him.
This was done.
r. Peter found the stern nobleman in large
hall on the ground>foor, sitting in an old
fashioned chair of state, while before him,
trembling and shivering, stood the poor un-
happy Nicholas, who did not know how he
should answer the questions about to be put
to him. Close to the Count, Peter saw two
men, who held in their hands that terrible
Russian instrument of punishment, the knou..
q Nicholas had not'the slightest doubt of his
brother>in>law's honesty aud truth, aud was
sure he had by fair means become possessed of
the silver chain, nevertheless he feared that
he might get him into some trouble or cause
him some unpleasantness if he told the Count
that Peter had given him the treasure to res>
cue him from his Distress so that he persisted
in maintaining n strict silence.
"You shall have a hundred strokes of the
knout if you don't answer me Immediately"
exclaimed the young Count, in an angry voice
to the unfortunate man. whence comes
this chain2 Who gave it you?
81 did, my lord, !" said the position, calmly,
as making deep obeisance he stood before
the Court Then. he drew himself up oui>
etly and gazed at the angry man.
''You gave il him, did you 2" stormed the
Count. "You wish, suppose to share the
knout with your companion in crime? Your
desire shall be gratifed."
Pardon me, my lord" replied Peter /;
"there is no companion in crime here, for
none has been committed. We, both my
brother>in-law and I, are dutiful serfs of the
noble Count Of ,Silowitz, and"
"Now, them" interrupted the young Count.
angrily, "as you speak SO fuently, you will
tell me how you camo into thespossession of
"Yes, that can do my lord" answered
Peter most oomposedly; "but only when you
command me to do so." 4
"Speak, then, and make your story as short
as possible" ordered the Count.
And Peter began to relate: "It is now
rlx, far, ,-r,n ~. n
nous Count Alexander of Silowitz, your
gracious father, was sailing in small shin
down the river Volga; it was Just this season
of the year. On both sides of the river mas
ses of ice were floating down; but the CEN
ter was free from them. The boat was to stop
ut a certain spot where these blocks of ice
had collected together, and seemed to be firm
enough for q landing. Your gracious father
put his foot upon the ice>block aud advanced
few steps. The gaily deckcd vessel had at
tracted many spectators to the shore, who
wished to see the venturesome landing. Sud.
denly cry of terror arose. With q dull
heavy sound the ice had cracked quickly, and
the Count had vanished in the waters! I,
too, stood among the crowd. threw off my
jacket, jumped upon the ice-b blocks. and then
into the waves, in whose depths your rlordship,s
father had been swallowed up. Those who
stood on the shore feared that we were both
lost, when by g od's mercy, i came up again
at the edge Of the ice, dragging the Count
whom / had seized by the coat. with me into
the light from the dark waters. He was not
conscious when brought to the shore, but he
soon recovered. When seized him under
the water, 1 got in my hand silver chain
which hung around his neck, and which al
though it was broken, i also brought to land.
When your father became conscious again,
he held out his hand very kindly to me"
"As do now." said the young Count
Silowitz, deeply affected, and feeling, too, the
wrong he had done; "for your name is Zuski,
is it not?"
"Yes, gracious sir, Peter Zuski is my name"
said the brave position. !
"Quite right, quite right, my good Zuski,"
continued the Count, al perfectly remember
your brave and noble deed. My father has
often told me of it with gratitude, and ad-
ded, that as q remembrance of his rescue, he
gave you bis chain, as we'll as a written docti-
'tnent to prove what you had done.n
sYes, gracious sir, !" said Peter, .shere ia
the document" :" and he drew piece of parch-
ment from his pocket and handed II 10 the
Count.
''Bu. why" the Count asked, .tdid you
not tell your brother-in-law Nicholas, here. in
what way this chain became your property
your bravely won property 2''
because, gracious sir" was the answer,
t'my sister and brothet-in law did not know
word about the whole story, and nevef mean.
to tell it to them. In my opinion good deed
or brave action loses its value if we boast It
to Others. This chain, the other half of
which is at home at my house, would have re-
mained in its obscure corner had not my rela.
tives been in great distress aud want. To
help them out Of it thought"
Enough, my good, brave Peter Zuski,"
said the Count, now ashamed of his harsnness;
"Your sister and brother-in-l law henceforth
will have nothing to fear from me. But YOU
must accept some well>meant advice from me.