Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1879-11-27
A Russian Romance.

lies, possessed more than 100, 900 male
souls, as serfs were then called in Rus
sia, the women not being counted either
in census or tax lists. Among these
serfs there were many who had been
allowed to 20 into business for them
selves. Some Of these had made fort
unes, others had even become million
aires. The conditions of the Count g
inheritance forbade his selling any male
serf his freedom. Among this number
there was one who had established him
self at Riga and was at the head of a
great banking house Of that city-an
ancient house which had existed under
German control for century, and was
well known and highly respected in all
the European cities.
The serf who was now at the head of
the house, felt his humiliating position
very keenly. His sons were excluded
from alliances with families who were
their equals in fortune and education,
for no daughter of these families would
wed a slave, even if he were ten times
a millionaire, as the Russian law COM
| pels The wife to accept the social posi-
tiOn of her husband.
The banker, who had almost de-
SPARED of obtaining his own freedom,
journeyed every year to st. Petersburg
to sue for that of his children. The
freedom of the daughter was cheerfully
granted, for Count Scheremetief was
Of those chiValrous noblemen whose
motto is noblesse oblige. There are
many such in Russia, the descendants
of the old reigning houses of the En-
pire. These mobiles lent an almost
unanimous support to the project of
Alexander ii. for the emancipation of
the serfs, although the carrying out Of
the measure cost a large share of their
fortunes.
Upon the bankers last visit to St.
Petersburg he had offered the Count
half million rubles for the freedom of
his sons. The Count had refused as
usual, but he had allowed the banker
great attention, inviting him to dine at
his house, where he was treated as q
peer by the elite of the Russian nobility.
A few months later, early in the
spring, he returned sad and despairing
to st. Petersburg. His eldest son hay
ing been sent to England on business
connected with the house, had become
acquainted with the daughter of a lead
ing manufacturer. The young people
we're deeply in love, but, under existing
circumstances, they could not marry
The banker resolved, if necessary, to
sacrifice his whole fortune to purchase
the freedom of his eldest son. Upon
his arrival he found the Gulf of Fin
land blockaded with ice, thus shutting
of all communication with the interior.
Knowing the Counts extreme liking
for oysters, the banker purchased keg
on the route and took them along with
him. The Count had some friends to
breakfast, but the delicacy he most
cared for was lacking, and loud walls
arose from him and his guests in con-
sequence. In the midst of the general
lamentation our banker entered, and the
Count invited him to stay to breakfast.
"You have come again with that
everlasting frain," said the Count,
laughing. 81 remember hearing you
sing it in my fathers lifetime, when l
was but child. You don't know what
chance for gaining your freedom has
| Just been opened to you, but you have
missed it, as l have my oysters"
"What chanceP" asked the banker,
with deep sigh, and yet with gleam
of hope in his eyes. "Perhaps your
honor is in amonetary embarrassment.
What sum do you requireP"
"Go to the deuce with your money"
answered the Count; 81 despise it. But
if you had only brought some oysters" F."
s'What would you do were l to bring
you someP" asked the banker, his heart
throbbing violently.
"What would | doP' returned the
Count, sure that there were no oysters
in St. Petersburg, and feeling perfectly.
safe in making any promise in this re-
gard no matter how preposterous.
"What would / doP would give you
your liberty. Then should not only
have my oysters, but my ears would
be forever free from this eternal hue
and cry of yours. ;"
"Would you truly give me my free
dom and fortune with itP" cried the
banker, eagerly. care you really i'll
earnestP" "
"I was never more so in my life, "
laughed the Count. "FOr this once l
will transgress our old family law, but
only on one condition"
"Name it!" cried the banker, eager
ly.
"You are to bring me the oysters
this very day, and not order them from
Riga"
EDO you pledge me your word of
honorP"
eyes, my solemn word of honor"
replied the Count, still laughing at the
absurd idea of finding oysters in st.
Petersburg, when his servantsh had for
the last twenty-four hours been seeking
them in vain.
81 take you for my witnesses gentle
men," said the banker, fastening to
leave before the Count mad time to re-
pent of his promise.
40, yes, we are your witnesses; but
hurry and bring us your oysters" " cried
the merry guests, laughing as they
foresaw the bankers discontinue.
They shall soon be forthcoming.
gentlemen" he answered, as he hast
ened away.