The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-12-09

would often buy silks in shop of the
Illinka. The master of this shop would al
ways serve her himself, with great attention,
and sold things to her cheaper than to most
people.
He was handsome, light bearded fellow,
of the highest type of Russian beauty. He
begged permission, one day, to carry to
Madame Gertzoff himself very fine piece
of velvet, saying he wished to avail himself
! to something he had very much at heart.
Marpha told her mistress, who said she
would receive him.
He came accordingly with the velvet, and
basket of choice sweetmeats, that he beg
ged the generals wife to accept.
Then he boldly said:
II love Marpha know she is slave.
If your excellency is willing, and Marpha
herself is SO disposed, am ready to pur-
chase her at whatever price you may see tit
to name"
''Ah, my brother" replied the generals
wife, there you are mistaken. Marpha
belongs to none of my villages. She is my
husbands property. He it is whom you
must ask. Show yourself at the counting
house. Prohor, the clerk, will note your
proposal in the daily report, and you will
soon get an answer. myself think that
spoken of as sober and business-ike. 1
would, therefore, gladly sacrifice myself,
however it might pain me to have her to
leave me. will call her in: and you can
speak to her"
Marpha came in, blushing and not quite
unconscious of what was going on,
"Marpha," said the generals wife, this
honest tradesman here wishes to purchase
and marry you. will stress on Prohors
report by writing myself to the general, if
this marriage is not displeasing to you"
Marpha hung her head and became as
red as poppy:
Shall r." asked the generals wife again.
Marpha fell on her knees and kissed her
hand, saying:
Write, sondarina-I shall pray God for
you all my life.
The man also knelt and thanked the lady
She sent for Prohor, the scribe, and said
to him:
Write to his excellency that Sidroff, the
tradesn,an, wishes to marry Marpha, and is
willing to purchase her for two thousand
roubles.
Are you willing to pay SO much?" she
asked, turning toward the merchant. "The
general will not part with her for less; he
has only just sold the confectioner, lila,
for thousand roubles Marpha is worth
more"
AS much as your excellency pleases to
ASK" answered the man. IT can afford
more, if necessary"
The report was written in the customary
order and manner of the generals estab-
lishment:
From the Moscow House-Report of the 18th
October, 1913:
Art. 1.-Received from the village of Davi-
dono: Ten chariots of hay, twelve sacks of
flour, fifteen boxes fruit preserves, on barrel OF
honey.
Art. 2-Received in money from the Office Of
Ivanono, four thousand roubles.
Art. 3.-According to your cxcellencys orders,
yesterday, 18th October, the footnlan, Andre,
was given to the soldier.
Art. 4.-The mare, Etoile, has just foaled.
Art. 5.-Sidoroff, the merchant, offers two
thousand roubles for the purchase Of Marpha.
He begs she will be given him, to marry her.
Art. 6.-Marinof, the merchant, offers ten
thousand roubles for the timber of Davidono
wood
Art This is the eighth day Ignate, the
coachman, has been drunk.
Art. 8.-The kitchen boy, Vanka, was drunk
yesterday, and made disturbance in the house.
Art. 9.-The girl, Glachka, laundress, was
confined of boy last night She was taken to
PRoHoR, Head Clerk.
A week after the reception of this epistle
the general gave orders to the clerk Of his
st. Petersburg counting house to write off
the following orders:
From the Counting house at st. Petersburg:
Art His excellency orders that the ten
thousand roubles offered by Martinotf for the
timber shall be accepted
Art. 2.-The coachman, Ignate, is to be pun
oh NV oof%I ,L ooy,ko
foot from Moscow to st. Petersburg, money be-
ing given him to buy bread on the road
Art. 3.-The kitchen boy, Vanka, is to be
sent back to his village, with orders to the
staraste to employ him at wood-cutting in the
forest
Art 4.-The girl, Glachka, in punishment for
her misconduct is to be sent back to her village,
and to have her hair cut short to her head.
Art 5.-His excellency's orders are that the
offer made by Sidoroff shall be refused, and
that reprimand be given to Marpha for hay
ing dared to disturb Madame Gertzoff with this
affair. His excellencys will is that Marpha
shall not leave the young ladies till they are
twelve years of age. On that day his excellency
will be pleased to give Marpha her liberty as a
reward for her trouble
Written by his excellency's orders.
ARTEan, Head Clerk.
Both Sidoroff and Marpha were in de-
spair at this harsh answer, and threw them
SELVES a. NAauamo OeitAOuS 1eeC, VINO was
herself much troubled at heart at the non
success of her attempt.
II have saved twenty five thousand rou-
bles since have been in business. If your
excellency deigned to write to the general
that would willingly give them for Marpha,
can soon make it up by work, and can
not live without Marpha.''
Madame Gertzof ordered that this new
proposal should be inserted in the report.
Prohor, the clerk, obeyed, and wrote.
I have dared to insert in this report the new
proposal of Sidorof, tho merchant He offers
twenty-five thousand roubles, ready money, for
Marpha. He begs his humble offer will not be
refused.
The orders from the St. Petersburg house