The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-29

thou wilt be through with work before
night. I am sure"
"hen Jemeljan came TO the hill opposite
the Landlords palace. he was astonished
70 md 1t crowned by a brand new chapel
OF the most approved style. The building
was finished throughout. save for a number
OF nails that had 20 be driven in TO fasten
the doors and wainscoting. The mujik went
10 work at once to attend to these details.
When the Landlord who never rose be-
lore noon) saw the church finished. a feel
ing Of disappointment and hatred crept into
MS o u He was mad with himself for Civ
ing Jemeljan a chance TO work out his sal
walton. AS TO the mujik's wife, he was no
nearer to her than at their first meeting.
Marshall" he said TO his chief officer,
this COMPOUNDED peasant has fooled us
again. You must think Of another, harder
task. And take care to hit upon something
really difficult if you want to remain in
my service"
The Marshall. frightened by the prospect
Of losing his dob. called together all the
other officials and took counsel with them
as TO the best plan 70 pursue. And it was
decided to order Jemeljan to dig a river,
construct a harbor and ships-all within
twelve hours.
The mujik was almost crying when he
came home.
so they have again conspired to destroy
thee" said his good wife, '"thy looks say
so. Tell me what new deviltries they are
up to-" Jemeljan gave an account OF what
had happened, concluding with the usual:
n must see, woman, that our only
safety is in flight" But the wife wouldn't
hear of running away. Go and rest" she
said, God helpeth him who helpeth him
self" And at the dawn of the morrow she
called her husband. Quick TO the palace"
she said, but for moving a few hundred
yards of soil, the work is already done.
Take thy spade and finish the job"
The good wife had spoken the truth. Jem-
elan saw a splendid sheet of water en-
circling the Landlords castle, and on il
ships and boats of large and small dimen-
siOns, likewise a fine harbor, large enough
for hundreds of vessels to take a refuge in.
Near the entrance of the fort was the heap
Of earth that had to be carted away be-
fore the work could be considered finished.
While the mujik was busy with his SHOW
el and wheelbarrow, the Landlord observed
that his evil intentions had again miscar-
ried. The Marshal was called.
IVAN cried the Lord, as soon as he
caught sight of him, "for the last time
advise you to think up ways and means for
Kidding me of this obnoxious tenant. I'm
derstand, his wife must be mine, and if you
cannot conceive of some task for Jemeljan
that is impossible of performance you had
better resign at once. I am determined that
the mujik shall die-I can no longer coun-
tenance his silent opposition to my supreme
will"
The Marshal asked an hours time to
think over the problem; when he came
back he said: Here is a snare which Jem-
elan cannot possibly escape. May it please
your LOrdship to send for the rascal and
command him to do as follows:
"tJemeIjan, go at once to I-don't-know
and fetch me I-don't-knOw-what.' After ac-
cepting this order. he may go wherever he
! Will and may fetch whatever he will-your
Lordship can always say that he failed to
bring the right thing or that he travelled to
the wrong place, laying himself open to the
charge of disobedience And his guilt once
established, you may have him executed
and take his wife"
The plan entirely suited the Landlord
"At last" he said, you have hit upon
something that promises success. Jemeljar
shall come to the palace at once" Wher
the trembling mujik stood before him, the
Landlord assumed his %haughtiest mien and
said:
"Jemeljan, tomorrow morning thou wilt
go TO I-don't-know and fetch me I-don't-
know-what. And lest thou bring the right
thing from the right place thy life shall be
forfeited"