The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-12-18
A Russian Legend.

A Russian Legend.
There was once q yonng Russian
prince who was cruel as Russian princes
alone can be. He made nothing of in
sulting and abusing any one; he would
ruthlessly lead the chase across the fields
of young corn which were the peasants
only hope of subsistence, and made moth
ing of trampling down women, feeble old
men, or children, if they were in his
way.
On one occasion, being more than
half intoxicated, he saw beautiful child
playing in the road before the door of a
peasants hut and rode deliberately over
it, and when its mother, with frantic
cries, rushed forth and lifted it from the
ground, it was quite dead. The poor
woman's grief was so great, the dead
child was SO beautiful, and the wrath of
those who witnessed the scene was so in
tense, that even the cruel prince could
not be quite Indifferent to what he had
done.
Having watched the woman for awhile
he drew his purse from a pocket and ap-
preached her.
"Here," said he, dropping it into her
lap, "here is money enough to make you
rich amongst othar peasants. Doubtless
you have more children, or will have.
They are always plenty, one more or
less, what does it matter? See now, you
are rich, stop crying"
But as he spoke the woman liffed the
purse in her hand and flung it in his
face.
"Takc back your blood money" she
said. "My child was worth more to me
than all the gold in Russia. But listen,
insolent prince. A poor peasant woman
can do no harm, but she can see the
harm that is coming. My mother was
wise woman. I also can see into eterni-
ty. The horse that has been the death
of my darling will be the cause of yours
ere long. Yes, he will rid the world of
you, thank heaven. 1t is written. I
read It. Go and leave me with my
dead"
As the woman spoke the prince turned
pale. He was very superstitious, and
the belief in propecy was strong in those
days. Without making answer he rode
away. His followers at his bidding scat
tered the crowd, who at once changed
their curses to cheers, and the broken
hearted woman was left alone.
AS for the prince, he rode home as fast
as he could, and so great was the impress
sion made by the words the poor peasant
mother had uttered, that he at once Or
dered the horse, great favorite, of
which he had been fonder than he ever
was of any living being, to be sent away
to distant portion of the country. The
animal was to be cared for as though
it were human being; a house was to
be built for him, and he was to be close
ly confined in it, if he, the prince, him
self, ever visited that portion of the
country. Of course, these orders were
strictly obeyed. The favorite steed went
into sort of royal exile, and the prince
used to ride other horses, when he tram
pied down other peasants corn.
People remembered the prophecy,
however, and many secretly hoped for its.
fulflment. The unhappy mother had
the reputation for q sort of second sight,
believed in by those of her nation.
However, time passed on. A year
went by-two-three-four. The fifth
came. During all this time the prince
had heard no tidings of his banished ia
vorite. At least he inquired about him,
and heard that he had been dead for a
long time. Laziness and over feeding
had killed him.
49," cried the prince, "he will not be
my death at last A dead horse can kill
nobody"
And then, as though the creature we're
an enemy who had been thwarted in
some evil intent, the desire to see his
dead body and triumph over it, seized
upon its master.
Attended by great train, he set out
for the place where the horse had lived
and died. The remains had been laid,
with respect, in sort of tomb built for
the purpose.
"Let me see them," cried the prince.
His word was law. The tomb was
opened. Only skeleton of the poor
beast remained, but beside this the prince
stood with an absurd look of triumph
upon his countenance.
'"So"! cried he. "You were to be my
death, were youw Ah, ah you cannot
run away with me now, nor throw me.
See how quietly you allow ME to kick
you !"
As he spoke he bestowed upon the
skull of the dead animal disdainful
kick. But, ON the instant, his laughter
turned to cry of anguish, and his cou'
riers saw him writhing on the ground in
agony; close about his legs was twist
ed black and hideous object with fierce
eyes and darling head. 1t was a veno.
nous serpent which had coiled itself
within the hollow of the dead horse, and
which the kick the prince had given
aroused to wrath.
The sting proved deadly. In a few
hours the prince was dead. They bore
him home to be buried in the tomb of
his father. No one grieved for him (;
and at her door stood the peasant whose
prophecy had been fulfilled. Other chill
dren now play at her knee, but she has
not forgotten her murdered little one.