Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-23
The Generous Russian Peasant.

IT is impossible, even at this distant
period, to reflect without horror on the
miseries of that year known in Lower
| WOlga by the name of the Famine
Year" [ remember the summer, whose
| scorching heats had dried up all the
fields, and the drought had no relief but
from the tears of the ruined farmer. re-
| member the cold, comfortless autumn,
and the despairing rustics crowding
round their empty farms, with folded
arms and sorrowful countenances, pom
dering on their misery, instead OF reioic-
ing, as usual, at the golden harvest; re-
! member the winter which sue
ceeded, and | reflect with agony on the
miseries it brought with it. Whole fami-
| lies left their homes to become beggars or
the highway. At night the calopy of
heaven served them as their only shelter
from the piercing winds and bitter frosts.
In those DAYS I lived on an esate not
| far from Simbirsk, and, though bu; a child,
l have not forgotten the impression made
on my mind by the general calamity. In
a village adjoining lived Flor Slim, a
poor, laboring peasant a man remarkable
for his assiduity and the skill and iudg-
ment with which he cultivated his lands.
He was blessed with abundant crops, and,
his means being larger than his wants
his granaries even at this time we're full
of corn. The dry year coming on had
beggared all the village except himself.
Here was an opportunity to grow rich
Mark how Flor Slim acted Having
called the poorest of his neighbsrs about
him, he addressed them in the following
manner:
My friends, you want corn for your
subsistence. God has blessed me with
abundance; assist in threshing out
quantity, and each Of you take what he
wants for his family"
The peasants were amazed at this IN
eXampled generosity; for sordid pro-
pensities exist in the village as well as
in the populous city.
The fame of Flor Silin's benevolence
having reached other villages, the fam
ished inhabitants presented themselves
before him, and begged for corn. This
good creature received them as brothers,
and, while his store remained, afforded
all relief. At length his wife, seeing no
end to the generosity of his noble spirit,
reminded him how necessary it would be
to think on their own wants, and hold his
lavish hand before it was too late. 1t
is written in the Scriptures" said he,
g" Give, and it shall be given unto you"
The following year Providence listened
to the prayers of the poor, and the har-
vest was abundant. The peasants who
had been saved from starving by Flor
Slim now gathered around him.
Behold" said they, "the corn you
lent US. You saved our wives and chill
dren. We should have been famished
but for you; may God reward yOu-He
only can. All we have to give is our corn
and grateful thanks" I" l want no corn
at present, my good neighbors," said he;
"my harvest has exceeded all my expect
tations; for the rest, thank Heaven, |
have been but an humble instrument"
They urged him in vain. NO." said
he, II shall not accept your corn. II you
have superfuities, share them among your
poor neighbors who, being unable to sow
their fields last autumn, are still in want.
Let us assist them, my friends; the AL
mighty will bless us for it." Yes"
replied the grateful peasants, "our poor
neighbors shall have this corn. They
shall know that it is to you they owe this
timely succor, and join to teach their chill
dren the debt Of gratitude due to your
benevolent heart" Slim raised his tear
full eyes to heaven. An angel might have
envied him his feelings.-KGranaS5ao.