The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-11-21
A ROMANCE OF RUSSIAN sERFDoM.
A Rich SerF Gains His Freedom by
Stratagem.
From Vol of Russian Sketches Written by

A Rich Serf Gains His Freedom by n
Stratagem
From Vol of Russian Sketches Written by
a Russian
Count Schermetieff, a descendant of
one of the most ancient Boyard families.
possessed more than 100000 male souls,
as serfs were then called in Russia, the
women not being counted either in CEN
sus or tax lists. Among these serfs there
were many who had been allowed to 90
into business for themselves Some of
these had made fortunes, others had even
become milliOnaires. The conditions of
The counts inheritance forbade his sell
ing any male serf his freedom. Among
the number there was one who had es-
tablished himself at Rigo and was at the
head of a great banking house of that
city-En ancient house which had ex-
listed under German control for acentury,
and was well known and highly re-
spected in the European cities.
The SER, 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
slave, even If he were ten times a mil
| lionaire, as the Russian law compels the
wife to accept the social position of her
husband
The banker, who had almost dispaired
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 Scheremetieff was one of those Chi
valrous nOblemen whose motto is, no
bEesse Oblige. There are many such in
Russia, the descendants of the old reign
ing houses of the empire. These mobiles
lent an almost unanimous support to the
| project of Alexander II. for the enamel
| patton of the serfs, although the carry
| ing out Of the measure cost a large share
of their fortunes.
Upon the bankers next visit TO St.
Petersburg had offered the count half
a million rubles for the freedom of his
sons. The count had refused as usual,
but he had showed the banker great at
tention, inviting him to dine at his house.
where he was treated as a peer by the
elite of the Russian nobility.
A few months later, early in the
| spring, he returned sad and dispairing to
| st. Petersburg. HIS eldest son having
been sent to England on business CON
nected with the house, had become ac-
quainted with the daughter of leading
manufacturer. The young people were
deeply in love, but, under the existing
circumstances, they could not marry.
The banker resolved. if necessary, to sac
ritice his whole fortune to purchase the
freedom of his eldest son. Upon his ar
rival he found the gulf of Finland block
AIDED with ice, thus shutting OFF all COM
munication with the interior.
Knowing the counts extreme liking for
oysters, the banker purchased key on
the route and brought them along with
him. The count had some friends TO
breakfast, but the delicacy he most cared
for anlyi inn
| from him and his guests in consequence.
In the midst of the general lamentation
our banker entered, and the count invit-
ed him him to stay To breakfast
| you have come again with that ever
lasting refrain" said the count, laugh
ing. AZ remember hearing you sing it
in my fathers lifetime, when / was but
a child. You don't know what a chance
for gaining your freedom has just been
opened TO you.
what chancc?" asked the banker,
with sigh. and yet with CLEAN ofhope
in his eyes. Perhaps your honor is IN
some monetary embarrassment. What
sum do you require ~
"Go to the deuce with your money!"
answered the count; II despise it. But
if you had only brought some oysters!"
What would you do were to bring
you some " asked the banker, his heart
thrObbing violently.
what would I dog" returned the
count, sure there were no oysters in St.
Petersburg, and feeling perfectly safe in
making any promise in this regard, no
matter how prepos ferrous, "What would
| do: l would give you your liberty.
Then l should not only have my oysters
but my ears would he forever free from
this eternal hue and cry of yours"
Would you truly give me my freedom
and fortune with it:" cried the banker
eagerly, Are you really in earnest ?"
Il 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, eagerly
You are to bring me the oysters this
very day, and not order them from
Riga"
'Do you pledge me your word of hon
Eyes, my solemn word of homer" re-
piled the count, still laughing at the
absurd idea of finding oysters in st. Pc
tersburg, when his servants had for the
last twenty-four hours been seeking them
in vain.
~ take you for my witnesses, gentle
men," said the banker, fastening to
leave before the count had 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 fore
saw the bankers discontinue.
They shall soon be forthcoming, gen.
tlemen," he answered, as he FASTENED
away.
Upon the bankers visit at St. Peters
burg he always lodged at the counts
own hotel with his chief attendant. He
had not far to go, and in few moments,
when the guests were making themselves
merry over his illusion, the door opened
and he entered rolling keg of oysters.
The count looked blank, and the guests
began to clamOr for the oysters.
"Holdr' cried the banker, 81 do not
doubt your honOr's word, but / am a
man of business, and prefer you have
the agreement made In writing. l may
die of joy and your honor may die of
chagrine, before the promise Is carried
out. Give me the writing and l will
deliver you the oysters"
So saying, he opened the keg, display
ing the largest and finest Holstein blvalves
imaginable.
ssThe banker is right, Count" exclaini-
ed the guests; s'but end this business
quickly, for we are suffering the horrors
Of Tanialus. Order pen, ink and paper''
30, will save you the trouble" said
the banker, and, taking Il piece of chalk
from his pocket, he wrote the following
agreement on the oyster keg:
81, the undersigned, in consideration
of a stated recOmpense, hereby declare
my serf. NJ. N, and family, residents of
Riga, free hensforth and forever Signed
in presence of the following witnesses =
Now" he added, presenting the chalk
and stave to the count, "your honor and
these gentlemen will do me the favor to
sign this document, while ], for the last
time, discharge my Office of serf, and
proceed to open the oysters"
The count put good face on a bad
matter; he signed, and the guests follow
ed him. Then the gentlemen shook
hands with the banker, and congratulate
ed him on his good fortune But the
count would not allow his former serf
to play the role of seryant-he compelled
him to take seat at the table. The de-
canters were filled with champagne, and
after they had drunk to the health of the
now free citizen, the gentlemen turned
with great est TO the oysters, which were
soon tinishe&.
The writer of this sketch has seen the
original decree of emancipation written
with chalk upon the oaken staye InclOs-
ed in gold frame it occupies place of
honor among the many fine pictures in
the bankers drawing room. There il
will always hang, reminding the wealthy
and honorable family of those days Of
serfdom, which, God be praised, are now
over.
4 - ----.-----s-
A BENEVOLENT WoRK.-The Metho-
dist church of New York is constantly
engaged in provididing for the increase