Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-07-17
A SERBS FREEDOM
And the Remarkable Way it was Pur-
chased.

From a recent volume Of Russia Sketehes.l
Count Scheremetief, a descendant
of one Of the most ancient Boyard
hmilies. possessed more than one huns
dred thousand male souls, as serfs
we're then called in Russia, the women
not being counted eithefin the census
or the tax lists. Among these serfs
there we're many who had been allow
cd to 20 into business for themselves.
Some of these had made FORTUNES.
others had even become millionaires.
The conditions Of the counts inner
itance forbade his selling his freedom.
Among the number there was one
who had established himself at Riga
and was at the head Of a great bank
ing-house of that city-an ancient
house. which had existed under Ger
man control for a century. aud was
well-known and highly respected ii
all the European cities. "
The serf, who was now the head of
the house, felt his humiliating posi-
tion very keenly. His sons were ex
cluded from alliances with families
who were their equals ia fortune and
education, for no daughter of these
families would wed o slave, even were
he ten times a millionaire. as the
Russian law compels the wife TO
accent the social position of her hus-
band.
The banker, who had almost de-
SPARED of obtaining his own freedom,
.iourneyed every year to st. Petersburg
to sue for that of his own children.
The freedom Of the daughters was
cheerfully granted, for Count Schere
metief was OF those chivalrous noble-
men whose motto Is Boblesse .obliges
There are many such in Russia, the
descendants of the old reigning
houses of the empire. These mobiles
lent an almost unanimous support to
the project Of Alexander ii for the
emancipation of the seris, 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 a million rubIes for the freedom
Of his sons. The count had refused
as usual, but he had showed the bank
er great attention. inviting aim to dine
at his house, where he was treated as
a peer by the elite of the Russian no
bility.
A few months after, early in the
spring, he returned sad and despair
ing to st. Petersburg. His eldest son,
having been sent to England on bust.
ness connected with the house, had
become acquainted with the daughter
OF a leading manufacturer. The young
people were deeply in love, but, under
existing circumstances, they could not
marry. The banker resolved, if neces-
sary, to sacrifice his whole fortune to
purchase the freedom Of his eldest
son. Upon his arrival he found the
Gulf of Finland blockaded with ice,
thus shutting of all communication
with the interior.
Knowing the eOunts extreme liking
for oysters, the banker purchased a
keg on the route and brought them
along with him. The count had some
friends to breakfast. but the delieacy
he most cared for was lacking, and
loud walk arose from him and his
guests in consequence. In the midst
OF the general lamentatioH our banker
entered, and the count invited him to
stay to breakfast
You have come again with that
everlasting refrain said the count,
laughing. Il remember hearing you
sing It in my fathers lifetime, when
was but a child. You don't know
what a fine chance for gaining your
freedom has just been opened to you.
but you have missed il as ! have my
oysters"
What chanee7' asked the banker,
with a deep sigh, and vet with a CLEAN
OF hope in his eyes. = Perhaps your
honor is in some monetary embarrass.
ment What sum do you reauire2
Go 10 the deuce with your money!
answered the count Il despise il
But if you only had brought some
oysters
What would sou do if | were tc
bring you some? " asked the banker
his heart throbbing violently.
What would | do?' returned the
count, sure that there we're no oyster
in 81 Petersburg, and feeling perfectly
safe IN making any promise in tht
regard. no matter how preposterous
"Wtat would / do7" I would Civ
You your liberty. Then | should no
only have my oysters. but my ear
would be forever free from this oter
nal hue and cry of yours .
FWoul1 voi trnlv o;va mo ms C,oh