New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-14
IVAN THE SERF.
A STORY OF OLD RUSSIA.
From Tour0enieG's "reminiscences IA Macnind

all proportion with his years. He was the veriest
mute OF man, extremely nimble in his movements
with pug nose, curly hair, a face perpetually on
the grin, and eyes like mouse. He was rare
butfoon and lover of practical Jokes and bis tricks
to let oft fireworks, could fly kites, and was good
hand at any game; could ride standing at full
giants stridea and was quite master at making
the queerest of shadows on the wall. No one could
ecty happy # he was only allowed to spend an
tire day playing with them. When he laughed the
whole house shook. and he was always ready with
a joke and an answer There was no being angry
with him. and you Obliged to laugh even
whilst scOlding him, 1t was q treat to see Ivan
would strike mp, and then the fellow darted out
INTO the middle OF the group and began turning,
on the floor, and gong through all the antics of
fish that had been caught and thrown on the dry
ground and performing such contortions, claspng
ms neck with his heels, jumping here sprnginQ there,
that the very ground seemed to tremble under him.
Many, time Alexis Sergevtcb, though. as have
interrupted the dancers, and cried out Come here
Ivan my little coach-boy; give us the ishdance,
heard him ,exclaimng: "Ah that's it; well done,
=, It was then. during my last visit that this same
saying word fell down on bus knees before me.
Ivan, what's the matter p Save me, sir"
Howl What has happened ~ And thereupon
Ivan related to me all his troubles
About twenty years before he had been exchanged
from the service of certain Suchinsk on The
estate of the Teleguins; but simply exchanged
without going through any legal fofinality or being
supplied with the necessary papers. The man in
whose place he had been taken died, and his old
masters had quite. forgotten Iyan so that he
born serf in the family In the course of time his
former masters died Also and the estate passed into
fresh hands; and the new proprietor, who was
generally reported to be cruel and brutal informed
the authorities that of his serfs had been taken
into the service of Alexis Sergeivitch without any
and in of refusal threatened his detainer with
heavy fine and punishment. Nor was the threat
very high-placed official, privy counsellor by
rank with great influence throughout the district.
The old man took pity. on his favorite dancer, and
made an offer to the privy counsellor To buy Ivan
of him for good round sum- but the proposal was
contemptuously rejected and what made matters
worse, he was Little Russian-as pig-headed as
the very devil. There was nothing to be done but
to give mp the poor serf. q have lived here, made
my home here, served here, eaten my daily bread
hero, and it is here wish to die" Ivan ciied to me
" Am | n dog, TO be dragged by chain from one
kennel to another! Save me, implore You entreat
your uncle never to give me mp; do not forget how
for Ms All IT @a o6 gUn end ana 90 he
what do you mean. Ivan y "Why, shall kill him
will CO. and the first day viii say to HIM. let me
return TO my old master, sir; do not refuse me- or
If you do, take care: will murder yonw
If chaflinch or n goldhnch had suddenly spoken,
and threatened TO swallow large bird l should
not have been moro astonished than | was to hear
Ivan speak thus Ivan. the dancer, buiioon, and
good-souled creature to become "a murderer. The
idea was too ridiculous: Not for moment did L
that he should even talk of such thing. | had
however a long conversation with Alexis Serge-
would somehow or other arrange the affair. my
dear sir, the old man replied, should indeed be
glad to do So but it is impossible. / have already
offered the pig headed fellow good price 800
roubles on my word OF honor, and he will not hear
OF it, 80, what can dof OF course it is illegal and
the exchange was made in the old-fashioned way
rs between men OF honor, and now il promises TO
end badly. You will see, the man will take Ivan
from me by force-he is very powerful the Gov
ernorGeneral often dimes at bis house-and he will
send soldiers to arrest him. And have a mortal
given mp Ivan let him storm as loudly as he chose |;
nut now, only look ut me, what poor cripple am
trO OM can ngGt asanS man IKE that And in
his eyes now wore childish expression, and in
place of the intelligent smile that once lit up his
conscious shipper winch l have remarked that very
Old people VIII preserve even in their sleep.
/ communicated the result of interview to
Ivan, who heard me in silence with his head bent
"Well" he at last exclaimed, it given to no one
to escape his fate But shall keep my word; there
prise III You don mind sir, give me little money
to buy some codki." gave him some, and that day
Ivan drank heavily; bnt in the evening he favored
us vita the " tish-dance." and danced so that the
girls and women were in ecstasies Never before
had seen HIM IN such force.
The next day l returned home and three months
later when was i'll ST. Petersburg. learned that
Ivan had kept his vow, He was sent off to his new
master, who at once called him into his study and
informed hun that he was to act as coachman. that
charge and that it would be the worse for him he
did not look well after them. or in any way neg
lected his duties. g l am not man 10 be ioked
WITH added he. Ivan listened tO all bis master
had to say, aud then thtowing himself at his feet
declared that, whatever his honor might wish, he
your honor; or if you like send me be soldier
or before long evil will come upon youp
are OF that S sor SS dare
to me In that wayf Fist please 10 know that | am
not your honor, but your excelIency and next, do
der even if they would take such dwarf; and
lastly, pray, VI hat is it You threaten me With Do
You mean to burn my house DOWN. "No, your
What thea, are you going TO murder me" Ivan
made Is no reply will never be your serf," he
you are my serf or not Ioared his master And
Ivan was severely punished; but for all that. the
received the place of coachman.
Ivan appeared to submit To his fate. and as he
soon proved that he understood his business. he
quickly won the favor OF his master the more so
because In general he quiet and civil in his
behavior. while the horses intrusted to him SO
well cared for that everybody declared it was a
treat to look ut them. HIS master evidently pre-
ierred driving ont With Ivan to going with any of
the other coachmen. Sometimes he would laugh
and say: We'll, Ivan. do you recollect how badly
we got on at cur first meeting but fancy we have
driven ont the devil after all" TO these words
Ivan never made any answer. But one day, Just
about Epiphany time, his master drove To town
with Ivan as coachman. the bells jinghng merrlly
Just beginning to mount rather steep hill at foot
pace, when Ivan slid Oft the box and went behind
1t was sharp frost, and his master sat huddlcd up
IN II thick fur, with a warm cap drawn close over
his ears. Then Ivan took from under his long coat
u Ratchet which he carried in his belt, came close
up behind his master, knocked of his cap, and with
the words, warned you once, Peter Perovitch
his head open lie then stopped the horses. re-
placed the cap carefully on the head of the dead
into town straight up to the police station
h,n have brought You General ,Y Snehinskys dead
would. L IL. ~ Ia mn