The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-23
THE RUSSIAN SERFS.
How They Married and were Given In
Marriage.

execution. He was sitting on the out
side of his log hut, and from time to
time raised his head and gazed at the
scene before him, which was not re-
markable. The country about was
slightly undulating dark woods in full
foliage filed the background large
river, from which constant supplies of
fish came, flowed peacefully along; and
beside him there was a garden filed
with vegetables and fruit trees. The
watermelon was abundant in blossom,
and cherries hung in tempting ripeness
from the neighboring standards.
Flocks of geese cackled and hissed,
COWS grazed on the banks of the river,
and in the distance horse or two might
be seen dashing along in the wild en-
joyment of freedom. AS you looked
more narrowly at the youth, you were
struck with the long masses of dark
hair tied back from the forehead with q
red band, the handsome profile of his
thoughtful face, and the expression of
sadness and absence which marked his
whole appearance. Evidently it was an
effort for him to continue his carving.
He seemed to want something which he
did not possess. Hours passed away,
and the sun was touching the horizon
when his mother came and sat down
beside him.
"My son." she said, "what aileth
thee p
"Oh, mother, dearest I hardly
know. feel want and sorrow and
sadness, SO that could almost cry"
care you i'll, my son? My child,
your mother loves you; tell her what
thy sorrow is"
"I know not, indeed, my mother, if
it be not Marie Lavovna of the next
village"
"Ah, my son, is it so ?"
81 believe, dearest mother, that I
love the girl"
"And would you marry her if I could
arrange it?"
There was hesitation. At length
came a bright smile, and Yakovi an
swered, "Gladly, dearest mother"
No more was said. The old woman
kissed her son, and left him to his
thought and his carving, and as quickly
as she could, walked to the neighboring
village, and entered the home of Marie
Lavovna. The party of serfs were en-
gagged at their evening meal, and Of
fered, as a matter of course, the cup of
tea and the piece of bread to the stran-
ger. She sat on, and remained till the
party had dispersed, with the exception
of the father of Marie, who seemed to
guess what was coming.
Finding him alone and looking for
some explanation of her visit, she COM
menced 81 have dove at home, and
he is very sad, and the head hangs
down, and the feathers droop. He re-
fuses to eat, and he will not drink of
the water, but all day long he sits on
his perch and mourns. have caressed
him and placed him in my bosom, but
he heeds me not. 1 have taken him in
the free air and in the midst of the
flowers, but he means all the more. I
have gathered other doves beside him,
and he regards them not, but he looks
at me with weary eyes. love my dove
my gentle dove-and 1 fear he will
die, so came to you to save him."
"Save him ! How can I save him,
mother ?"
He has seen another dove, and his
eyes have followed her. He is always
looking toward her. She is gentle, SO
beautiful; her feathers are 80 soft, and
her eyes SO tender her wings plume
themselves 80 peacefully, she walks
with so humble tread, and the music
of her note so enchants him, that he
will die if she come not beside him."
''But, mother, has your dove nest
for mine has been tenderly nursed, and
she cannot go to the cold in the night,
nor bear the bitter blasts of the frosty
air. She sleeps warm and eats we'll.
Has your dove a nest ?"
"My dove has beautiful nest. It is
warm and sweet the wild flowers grow
round it; and the hands of those that
love it adorn it with all that doves
most delight in."
"Ah, well, mother, but has your dove
the corn and the water and the sand ?"
"Betouchka, my dove has everything,
and if your dove will come beside him
she shall fare as we'll as with you. AS
well, did I say aye, far, far better"
"But, mother, perhaps your dove
pecks. He may tear the feathers from
the wings, and flap them in anger. Ny
dove is very gentle, and very easily
frightened"
"No, my father, my dove is loving to
his mother and gentle with his father
and his sisters. His brother speaks
kindly of him, and all praise him. My
beautiful, beautiful dove -
''If it is so, my mother, you may
bring your dove here for two days, and
if my dove should like him, then, per-
haps, the doves may build them new
nest in beautiful field, and COO to-
gether in the Spring."
Thus the matter was arranged. va
kovi Gorovitch was taken by his mother
to the house of Marie Lavovna, and in
the presence of the parents they saw
each other twice. And it was then ar
ranged that the marriage should take
place.
Some weeks have passed, and Marie
stands in her fathers house in all the
beauty of youth and health and hap
piness, decorated with the jewels of
her mistress-for every Russian lady
will lend her serf. girl the means of ap-
pearing to the best advantage on the
wedding day. A long procession forms
itself to the village church, where the
parties meet. In the sacred building
there is kind of desk in small chapel
off the large nave. On this there are
three candles burning, to represent the
Trinity-Father, Son and Spirit. On
this desk one of the relatives places the
picture of the patron saint of the family
on a cloth. The priest removes the
cloth and places the image properly on
the desk.
Before the image and before the
three candles the young couple stand
in order to be united for life. Then
the priest poaets them drassad in his