The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-06-07
Hiring Horses in Russia.

more intelligent expression than his fell
lows. Getting into the vehicle, inquired
If he knew of any one who had horses
for hire.
EYES," was the answer. One of his rel
atives had some; but the house to which
l was driven was shut up, and no one was
at home. began to despair, and think
that should have as much difficulty in
obtaining horses at Orsk as l had in pro-
curing a servant at Orenburg.
now determined to try what gold, or
rather silver, would do, and said to the
driver, "If you will take me to any one
who has horses for hire, will give you a
rouble for yourself"
"a whole rouble !scried the man, with
broad grin of delight; and jumping off
his seat he ran to little knot of Tartars
one of whom was bargaining with the
others for basket of frozen fish, and be-
gan to ply them with questions. In a
minute he returned. "Let us CO." he
said and with "burr" (the sound which
is used by Russians to urge on their
horses) and loud crack with his lash, he
drove rapidly in another direction.
l had arrived at the outskirts of the
town, and he stopped before dirty look
ing wooden cottage.
A tall man dressed in long coat reach
ing to his heels, bright yellow trousers,
which were stuffed into pair of red
leather boots, while an enormous black
sheepskin cap covered his head, came out
and asked my business. l said that
wanted three horses to go to the next
stage, and asked him what he would
drive me there for, the regular postal tar
if being about two roubles.
zone of noble BIRTH" replied the fell
low, "the roads are bad, but my horses
will gallop the whole way. They are
excellent horses; all the people in the
town look at them, and envy me. They
say how fat they are! look, how round.
The governor has not got any horses like
mine in his stable. 1 spoil them; cher
ish them; and they gallop like the wind.
The people look, wonder, and admire.
Come and see the dear little animals"
81 have no doubt about it. They are
excellent horses" replied; "but what
will you take me for9"
"Let us say four roubles, your excel
lency, and give me one on account. One
little whole silver rouble; for the sake of
God let me put it in my pocket, and we
will bless you"
"All right" was my answer. "Send
the horses to the Tzarskoe Selo Inn i'm
mediately."
Presently the fellow rushed into my
room, and bowling to the ground, took Oft
his cap with grandiose air, then, draw
ing out the money had given him from
some hidden recess in the neighborhood
of his skin, he thrust the roube into my
hand, and exclaimed, "Litte father, my
uncle owns one of the horses; he is very
angry. He says that he was not consult
ed in the matter, and that he loves the
animal like a brother. My uncle will
not let his horse leave the stable for less
than five roubles. What is to be done9
l told him that had agreed to take you,
and even showed him the money; but he
is hard-hearted and stern"
Every WE'LL" said, "bring around the
horses"
In few minutes the fellow returned,
and exclaimed, zone of noble birth,
am ashamed"
"Quite right" said, 'you have every
reason to be so. But go on; is your un-
cle's horse deadi"
mo, one of noble birth, not so bad as
that; but my brother is vexed. He has
share in one of the animals he will not
let me drive him to the next station for
less than six roubles"-and the man, put
ting on an expression in which cunning
avarice and pretended sorrow were blend
ed, rubbed his forehead, and added,
"What shall we dol"
said, "You have grandmother"
"Yes," he replied, much surprised.
Glow did you know that2 l have; a
very old grandmother"
"Well," continued, ego and tell her
that, fearing lest she should be annoyed
if any accident were to happen during
our journey; for you know misfortunes
occur sometimes; God sends Them" l
added piously. Eyes, he does" inter
rupted the man; 1--WE are simple people,
your excellency." "And, not wishing to
hurt the old lady's feelings, should the
fore leg of your uncle's horse or the hind
leg of your brothers suffer on the road,
l have changed my mind, and shall not
go with you to-day, but take post horses
to morrow"
A"c h"u ~" occaHlc diarmeu, think-
ing that he was about to lose his fare
He rubbed his forehead violently, and
then exclaimed, 81 will take your excel
lency for five roublcs."
"But your brother3"
"Never mind; he is an animal; let us
CO."
NO" answered. ~ shall wait-the
post horses are beautiful horses. am
told that they gallop like the wind; all