The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-05
Ii Does Not Appear what the Pur-
chaser Got I'm the Way of Value
Received.
OTHER TALES OF SUPERSTITION
TAKEN FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES.
Many Murders Caused by General Be-
lief q. wftches-village Where
sMiracIes" Are Worked.
Of tn. 1ndIanapoli. Journal.

Corresponeence Of the Indianapolis Journal
ST. PETERSBURG, Sept, 2O.-In this
country, where but recently the Governors
CT several provinces decided on the suppress
SION Of all educational measures for the
lower classes. seeing that ability to read
and write encouraged the common people
only to study books fostering discomfort
with existing conditions" in Russia, where
ignorance is officially stamped as bliss II
Is possible in this second year of the TWEEN
tieth century to sell ones eternal happl-
ness In the open market for cash. AS this
sounds very much like fiction. your corre-
spondent will tell the story without COM
ment as set forth by the court records
Circuit Court OF Umansk, A. d. 1902, August
Term. In the name Of the Emperor. the
states attorney Of the county Of Umansk
prays that Peter Svet and Vassih Sem
yonofl<a be punished for blasphemy in ac-
cordance with Paragraphs $40 and Oh
OF the criminal code.
prosecution Is based on the following
document signed by defendants, and prop
erly executed and stamped:
"Umansk, Jan. 1. 1902.-In the Name of
the Emperor: The following contract has
this day been entered into between Peter
Svet. attorney at law. party of the first
part. and Vassin semyonofka, attorney at
law. party Of the second part. To wit:
THE said Peter Svet humbly believing
that, first, man is master OF his body and
soul and, secondly, may dispose Of said
soul before or after death, for period OF
years, or for all eternity, now, therefore,
sells his soul. in accordance with Para
graph IL, Article 2. of the civil code, TO
Vassili Semyonofka, attorney at law, for
$40 roubles, silver, In hand paid, and mere
by transfers upon said Vassili Semyonofka.
attorney at law. all and every of his claims
TO eternal happiness, to-wit: all the rights
and duties of his soul from the moment OF
Receipt of price, $50 roubles, silver, is
hereby acknowledged. the said Vassili
semyonofka agreeing TO pay for the stamps
in accordance with the law.
PETER svET.
ATTORNEY at Law.
."vASSILI SEMYONOFKA,
Attorney at Law.
Sworn before me on this I'd day of jan
'TSMAILOvE, Notary.
BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT.
The case was tried Aug. 15 and 16, the
its utmost capacity by friends OF the par
ties, the majority Of whom seemed to re-
gard the suit as an attempt to abridge the
liberties OF the holy orthodox church.
After the States attorney had stated his
quoting the law to sustain the charge of
blasphemy, vassil Semyonofka was called
upon the witness stand. His testimony
(the translation is literaD was as follows:
Being a very religious man and believing
in the dogma of the Holy Orthodox Church,
to-wit, the last judgment and eternal life
after death-the eternal life affording re-
ward or punishment. respectively. for our
upon this contract seriously and with full
understanding of its consequences. An ex-
perience had still more tended to confirm
my belief that contract, like the one now
before your honor. is recognized in the be-
yond and must be carried out to it's fullest
extent here on earth as well as in the
other world upon which we hope to en-
ter. The experience alluded to was as
follows: In February. 1901. sworn atheist.
Alexander Vitebsk. made a similar prop
osition to me as Peter Svet did afterwards.
but. unlike him. he did so in a spirit of jest
only. I bought his claims to eternal life.
to-wit. his soul, for 200 roubles silver
being that Of an atheist. it was not worth
as much as Peters. Alexander invested
the money in vodka and died the follow
ing October.
Beginning with the day OF his death Gu
rious dreams began to disturb me. thought
at first that the presence OF my contract
with Alexander resting in the strong box
under the bed had something to do with it
and removed same, but the dreams contin-
ued and assumed most terrifying aspects.
One night the late Alexander appeared be-
fore me bodily, / thought, and begged me
on his knees to rescind the contract that
a. hf~x,o pHar
ond Judas. Next his old mother. likewise
deceased, came. repeating the request, and
finally my own father. dead these twenty
years, pleaded with me for the release of
the unhappy soul. These nightly visitations
rowing were they. and they impressed me
as so genuine. that at last was almost
forced to yield to the entreaties.
THE CONTRACT ANNULLED.
"Oct. q last year I invited ten worthy old
men-the list of names is at your honor $
disposal-to accompany me to Alexander
grave. and in their presence 1 solemnly de-
clared that / rescinded the contract and
that thereafter 1t was null and void and
had no existence In fact Thereupon 1 tore
up the contract before the ten witnesses
and demanded them to scatter the frag-
while notary set down the annulment of
the contract in writing, which document
was signed by myself and witnessed by
the ten worthy old men while the lawful
stamps were attached. / enjoyed dreamless
sleep that night and never again was dis
turbed by Alexander. which proves TO my
mind that the eternal powers were salts
fed and that the atheist got his just
deserts
I'm conclusion 1 humbly petition the
corrt to take an objective view OF the case
As a lawyer and pious son OF our holy
orthodox church do not consider the con.
tract blasphemous; IL cannot be bias.
pPemous. as In making 1t the thought OF
offending against the statutes of our holy
church never entered my mind. On the
contrary. thought 1 was doing brother
in distress kindness. l repeat my plea OF
not guilty"
Peter Svet. the man who sold his soul
made similar profession OF faith as the fore.
going and likewise pleaded not guilty to the
charge. He maintained that he had SOLE
his soul; that IL. the hope OF eternal bless.
edness as a reward for an exemplary life
because, sorely pressed for money. being