A TERRIBLE STORY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2608, 30 March 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

A TERRIBLE STORY.

A whiter, whosj name is identified with Rupsian life and studies, M. de Vogue, contributes a. telling story of the time of serfdom to the Paris Figaro. If that time is anything what it is there depicted, then the name of the late Emperor Alexander does indeed deserve to be blessed by his countrymen. In the short sketch here presented to the reader serfdom is represented as WOK3K THAN SLAVERY. The story, moreover, is "rigorously exact down to the smallest details." M. de Vogue was shooting last autumn in the Governmental district of Ridzan. After a morning's slaughter of the wild ducks, the sportsmen repaired for lunch to an old chateau which had the aspect of a monastery. This was the domain of the famous Vassili Ivauovitch 8., who flourished in the beginning of the century. His cruelty was a household word throughout the district, which he treated as conquered territory. On a certain occasion the peasants of a neighbouring village revolted against their landlord, when a transfer was accomplished, the property being made over to Vassili B. " The next day B. went with a military guard to the mutineers. The lancers surrounding the village, having received orders not to let a single living creature pass—not even a chicken. After straw and faggots had been brought, fire was set to the village. Everything blazed and perished in the flames. B. had kept his word ; the revolt was put down for ever." A "BED OF JUSTICE." In one corner of his park was a garden called le jardin terrible. Here the Lord had his bed of justice—a pillory, a stake, and a wheul were kept permanently foi tho punishment of offenders, who raivly escaped alive from the infliction. One day he fell ill; the last sacraments were administered, and the death knell was rung, which sounded to the ears of the serfs like a joyful Te Deum. When the news was received lhat their oppressor was no more tho peasants flocked into the chateau to gaze ou tha features of their master. None of tho deceased's relatives had arrived, so the rustics thought they would have their triumph undisturbed. Soon their voices, emboldened by number.H, drowned the voice of tho beadle repeating the prayprs for tho dead. After a while spirits wero brought, and a species of wako was held. The father of the narrator of the story and some of tho neighbours in vain tried to put a stop to it. THE UNHALLOWED REVEL. To no purpose; the aavago rustics danced round tho body, plucked the beard, and poured a glass of vodka down the throat of tho jtostrate man. But no sooner had this last act of profanation been accomplished than the glass fell from the insulter's hand. The dead man had raised himself and cast a diabolical look round. At tho same time the voice of the beadle was heard reading; from the Psalmist, "I will arise and scatter my enemies." A eigual vengeance was exacted ; once more the laacers were called out. Before these could arrive the cowed serfs were too paralysed with fear to think of escaping. Tho mildest penalty inflicted was tho knout; the worst offenders were hauged on the gibbet in the terriblo garden. After that the tryant reigned more than ever supreme. For the whole country-side Vassili B. 11 had coma back from hull in order to hang a few more serfs." When he came to die for good, no one would believe it. The belief had become current that their master was no other than the Evil One. His heirs never had any trouble with the people. To this day the old peasants cross themselves when they pass by the site of the domain.