Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1871 — A Serf’s Love. [ARTICLE]

A Serf’s Love.

Some years ago, a Russian nobleman was traveling on special business, in the inte nor of Russia It was the beginning of winter, but the frost had set in early. His carriage rolled up to an inn, and he demanded a relay of horses to carry him on to the nextstation, where he intended to spend the night The inn-keeper entreated him not to proceed; for, he said, there was danger m traveling So late—the , wolves were out But the nobleman thought the man merely wished to keep him as a guest; he said it was too early for wolves, and ordered the horses to be put to. He then drove off, and his wife and his only daughter inside the carriage with him. On the box of the carriage was a serf, who had been bom on the nobleman’p estate, to whom he was much attached, and who loved his master as he loved his own life. They rolled over the hardened snow, and there seemed no sign of danger. The moon shed her pale light, and brought out into burnished silver the road on which they were going. At length the little girl said to her father .- “ What was that strange, howling sound that I just heard ?” “ Oh, nothing but the wind sighing through the forest trees,” replied the father. The child shut her eyes, snd was quiet. But soon she said again: “ Listen, father: it Je »ot like the wind, I think.” The father listefied; and far, far away in the distance behind him, through the cleat, cold, frosty air, he heard a noise which he knew too well the meaning of. He then put down the window, and spoke to his servant: “The wolves, I fear, are after eta; make haste. Tell the man to drive faster, and get your pistols ready." The postilion drove faster. But the same mournful sound which the child had heard, approached nearer and nearer. It was quite clear that a pack of wolves had schntqd them out. The nobleman tried to calm the anxious fears of his wife and child. At last the baying of the pack was distinctly heard. Bo he said to his servant: if When they come up with ns -do you ■ingle out one, and fire, and I will single out another; and while the rest are devouring them we shall get on.” As soon as he put down the window ae saw the pack in foil cry behind, the large dqg wolf at their head. Two shots were fired and two of the wolves fell. The others instantly set upon them, and devoured them; and meanwhile the carriage gained ground. But the taste of blood only made them more furious, and they were soon np with the carriage again. Again two two shots were fired, and two fell and Wjßty devoured. Butthecarriage was speedi' overtaken and the post-house wasyetfar distant The nobleman then ordered the postil lick to loose one of his leaders, that they Bright f"*na little time. This was done, and the poor home plunged frantically into the finest, and the wolves after him, and sue soon tom to pieces. Then another horse was sent off, and shared the same fate. The carriage labored on as fast as it could with the two remaining horse* ; .but the post-house was still distant. At length the servant said to the master. “I have served yon ever since I was a child,-1 love yrih aa well as my own seUL Nothing now can save yon bat one thing. Let me save yea. I ask you only to look after my wife and little ones.” The nobleman remonstrated, bat in vain. When the wolves next came up the faithful servant threw himself against them. The panting hones galloped mi with the carriage, and the rnriea of the post-house just closed in upon it as (he fearful pack were on the point of imaldng the last fatal attack. But the traveler* were safe. The next morning they went oat and saw the place where the fiuihftil servant had been pulled down by the waives. His bones only were there. And on the spot the nobleman erected a wooden pillar, on which is written, "Greater love hath no man than this, that »aum lay down his life for hi# friend.” “Bat God commendeth his love toward S&WV* wore yet sinners, .