Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-03-25
THE SERF'S REVENGE.
A STORY OF SIBERIAN EXILE.

During the revolution in Poland, il
1830-31, there were many Russians liv
ing near the Polish frontier who became
more or less involved in the movement
Many Of them sympathized with the
Poles, and where they could not public
ly take part in the revolution they die
SO privately. Some gave money to the
insurgent cause, and while they would
not inform the government officials ot
any plans of the conspirators, they were
ever ready to tell the latter what the
government was doing against them.
Their houses frequently gave conceal
ment to the messengers of the Poles,
when pursued by the government
scouts, and furnished convenient hiding
places for refugees, who found their own
homes too hot to hold them. A great
many proprietors of landed estates were
suspected of disloyalty, though it was
often difficult to prove it against them.
The government made great many
arrests among these frontier residents,
and held Investigations over their con-
duct. Some were discharged on giving
proof of their loyalty, or on no evidence
being found against them; others were
imprisoned on account of the suspicious
against them, and when there was proof
Of their disloyalty they we're banished
to Siberia. The Punishment was in
proportion to the extent OF their offense,
and varied all the way from few years
up to the duration of the natural life OF
the offender. Some were marched in
chains over the long road into northern
Asia, and frequently their journey last
ed more than two years before they
reached their destination. More dis
prisoners were entitled to
ride, and went forward day and night
with great rapidity; thus they travelled
in few weeks the road that the pedes-
trian prisoners were many months in
passing to the end.
Among the residents on the Russian
frontier at that time was a nobleman
named Dolaeff. who had served in his
youth at the court of the emperor at st.
Petersburg. The atmosphere of the
court did not suit him, and SO after few
years he left the service, and retired to
his estate, where he hoped to live in
peace. He formed an acquaintance with
! few noblemen living near him, and
made occasional visits to Warsaw when
aver the solitude of his country place be-
gan to weary him. By-and-bye the in
broke ont, and speedily as.
'umed the proportions of revolution.
Most Of the Poles espoused the cause;
'ome of the Russians living on the
rontier declared in their favor, and
'thers against them; while still others,
Is before stated, remained, or professed
o remain. neutral.
OF this last number was Dolaeff. He
|rgued that as he had served in the
rmy, and had always been thoroughly
oyal to his emperor, the latter could
iced no special proof of his adhesion to
he government cause. On the other
land, his estate was so near the frontier
hat, if he pronounced emphatically in
opposition to the rebellion, his life and
would be in great danger from
he hostility of the Poles. He remained
Iuietly at home in attendance upon his
fairs, and hoped to escape all trouble.
Among the serfs on Dolaeff's estate
he master was not particularly popular.
1e was imperious, and often cruel, and
- oA0 OoAiCcblOu VI Guo auuuhl uueb, |
rom such as had control of their own
ime, he was never merciful. He de-
handed always the last copeck upon an
greement, and no plea of sickness, bad
arvosts, or low markets had any weight
18th him.. Occasionally serf was Sc
erely beaten at his order for some
'ifling ofense, and he was never back
ard in demanding, on all occasions,
,e exercise Of his full seignorial rights.
Ivan Stepanof was one of the most in
,l]igent serfs on the estate, and often
SISTED his fellow laborers in getting
ut of difficulties with each other, or
ith their master. Dolaeff regarded him
cry favorably, and generally showed
i'm more kindness than was his won't
wards others. Ivan was prosperous,
| q worldly point of view, and on two
r three occasions hal relieved Dolaeff
ON financial embarrassments. But
ne day, after o heavy loss Mt cards,
'olaef sent for Ivan, and asked him for
sum of money greater than he could
Ivan protested that he had
OF that amount, and could not raise it.
,o!aeff, in fit of anger, struck his serf
blow that felled him to the ground
len, kicking him in the side, he turned
way, and just as he was getting out of
Irshot he heard Ivan mutter
'" will have my revenge fer this"
A week later Dolaeff was arrested on
charge of aiding the insurrection. 1t
rs shown that several rebels had been
'ncealed in his house at different times,
I'd that one, with whom he was particu-
rly intimate, was the chief of q gang
conspirators whose place of meeting
Is at Warsaw. He was taken to the
arrest government town, and in due
ne tried, found guilty, and sentenced
Siberia for life. Ivan was not to be
und at the time of the arrest, and the
aster naturally attributed it to the re.
nge that his servant had promised to {
,tain for the blow and kick he re-
ived. Ii
HSHNA T