Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-02-17
THE FLIGHT OF
A SERF
Wolves In Front and q Pursuins
Master In Rear


beautiful serf girl named Sonia. Ad-
joining the Koronief estate lived a
small farmer named Orlof. Orloff's
son Peter and Sonln were wont TO play
together ms children and when they
grew TO manhood and womanhood be-
came lovers. Unfortunately for them
while Peter was free man Sonia was
a scrf.
| Now. the count was firm supporter
OF the government. while even at that
early date there were evidences of dis
content among the people. The MUIR
murings were heard mostly among the
higher classes. for the serfs were too
| ignorant. too degraded. too used TO con.
slider their master. the ear. divine
being. to protest against anything that
emanated from him. Young Orion was
far IN advance of the small farmer
class. TO which he belonged. supporting
the few mobiles and many intellectual
commoners who desired TO see the au-
tocracy Of the government curbed and
the lower classes educated.
| When, therefore. Orloff senior offered
to buy Sonia and give her 10 his son to
wife the count refused 10 sell her. NO
one belonging TO my estate" he said.
shall pass under the influence of these
new notions which are intended TO in
| terfere with the will of the emperor.
| In Russia we have always needed and
always had single power to rule.
Certain people are now beginning an
agitation which IL persisted IN will edu-
cate the lower classes. They will be-
come discontinued with their lot. and
We shalt have anarchy"
When the farmer gave the counts
answer to his son. advising him to
think no more of Sonia. rebellious
fire Jared In the young mans breast.
lie dare not tell Sonia. for she would
undoubtedly feel that the hope of hap
piness which had been born to her had
been quenched. since she would never
dream Of disputing her masters VIII.
The law gave her TO him as serf.
and II she rebelled the law would pun
ish her Indeed marriage without
the counts consent was impracticable.
II her lover attempted to defy the
count he would be sent TO Siberia.
Sonia's master told her that the propo-
sition had been made. that he had de-
clined IL. and there was an end Of the
matter.
Peter brooded over the matter I'LL be
was ready to take any risk TO possess
Sonia. tie had expected to work his
fathers farm after his father had
passed away. as each son had succeed
ed his father from time immcmorial.
| With Sonia for his wife he would
have been content 10 do so. 1f he
should possess her he must do so by
running away with her. and If caught
the consequences would be terrible.
not only for him. but for her. But
love will take any risk. Peter had
heard OF America. There the people
were their own rulers. II he could
only get Sonia ont Of Russia and take
her To- America they could be united.
f.n, any attempt to carry her away
would he fraught with great danger.
and there was every chance of failure.
The only chance for such an attempt
10 succeed would he by bribery. al
ways common method Of accomplish
ing objects In Russia. hut Peter. so
long as his father lived. could not raise
much money The old man was not
minded TO cripple himself by raising
funds 10 carry out any wild scheme
OF his sons to satisfy within. BE
sides. sons and daughters in Russia
were not supposed to choose mates:
they were provided by their parents.
Peter secretly saved what money he
could knowing that even II he sue
ceeded In getting Sonia out OF Russia
he could not take her to America
without means. In one way and an
other he got together enough to pay u
passage. Then he began TO weigh the
different plans he had been forming
for kidnapping his love. He dared not
trust her with any intention OF what
he had in mind. fearing That even n
knowledge of II would cause her un-
Willingly 10 betray H. Then. too. he
had no assurance that she would con
sent TO take n risk fraught with such
frightful consequences to her and him
self IN case OF failure
The plan he chose embodied its for
nation. its execution aud its RESPONSE.
biiity solely IN himself No other was
10 share the secret with him. not even
Sonia II was TO kldnap the girl aud
carry her around the gulf OF Bcihnia
into sweden. The country through
which they must pass was cold and
desclaie. The only thing that rendered
the scheme at all feasible was that the
estate from which they would start
was only a hundred miles from the
Swedish border Bnt 10 pass over this
distance without being caught and re.
turned was dangerous undertaking.
Peter had enough money 60 hire two
horse sleigh. including the necessary
relays. besides sufficient 10 take him 10
n sailing point for America. His ar
rangemcnts were perfected IN Septem-
Der. and. with loverlike impatience. In.
a.. a .a..se h0