In a little town, a few miles from St.
Petersburg, in Russia, lived a poor woman. A small cottage was
her only possession, and she made her living by finding food
and lodging for travelers. One evening several ship-masters
supped at her house, and when they were gone, a sealed bag of
money was found lying under the table. Some one of the company
had, no doubt, forgotten it; but in conseqnence of their
having immediately sailed across an arm of the sea near her
cottage, they could not return to get it until the wind should
change. The old woman put the bag into her cupboard, until it
should be called for. Full seven years, however, passed away,
and no one called to claim it. And though she was often
tempted from poverty to open the bag and spend the money, the
good woman's good principles prevailed, and the bag remained
untouched.
One evening some ship-masters again
called at her house and asked for refreshment. Three of them
were English, and the fourth a Dutchman. Conversing on various
subjects, one of them asked the Dutchman if he had ever been
in that village before. "Indeed, I have," replied
the Dutchman. "I know this place too well; my being here
once cost me seven hundred rubles." "How so?"
"Why, in one of these wretched hovels, I once left behind
me a bag of money. But, before I thought of it, we had sailed
under a strong wind, which prevented my return, and have never
been back since. Do you think such people would be honest
enough to keep my money for me so long a time? Of course
not." "Was your bag of money sealed?" asked the
old woman, who was sitting in the corner, and listening to all
that was said, "Yes, yes, it was sealed, and with this
very seal here at my watch chain," cried the man. The
woman knew the seal instantly. "Well, then," said
she, "by that you may recover what you have lost."
"Recover it, mother? No, no; I am rather too old to
expect that. The world is not quite so honest; besides, it is
full seven years since I lost it. Say no more about it; it
always makes me melancholy."
Meanwhile, the woman slipped gently out
of the room, and returned with the bag, and throwing it on the
table, exclaimed, "Here is your money. I am glad to
return it to its rightful owner."
I will tell you another story of the
honesty of these Russian peasantry.
A nobleman was once travelling to
Tobolsk, and stopped one night at the hut of a poor man. In
the morning, on continuing his journey, he discovered that he
had lost his purse, containing a large amount of money. He
must have dropped it on mounting his horse at the stable,
which stood off some distance among some trees. The son of the
peasant found it while out hunting; but, instead of taking it
up, went and told his father, who was equally unwilling to
touch it, and ordered his son to cover it up with some bushes.
A few months after this, the nobleman
returned, and stopped at the same hut, but the owner did not
at first know him. He related the loss he had met with. The
poor man listened very attentively, and when he had finished,
he exclaimed, "You are very welcome. Here is my son, who
will show you the spot where your money lies. No hand has
touched it, but the one who covered it up, that you might
recover it again."
Soon after the surrender of the city of
Copenhagen to the English, in the year 1807, companies of
soldiers were for some time stationed in the surrounding
villages. It happened one day, that three soldiers, belonging
to a High-land regiment, were sent out to collect provisons
among the neighboring farm-houses. They went to several
houses, but found them deserted, and everything carried away.
At length they came to a large garden, or orchard, full of
apple-trees, bending under the weight of fruit. They entered
by a gate, and followed a path which led to a neat farm-house.
Everything about the house was neat and quiet; but as they
entered, the mistress and children ran screaming out of the
back door. The inside of the house presented an appearance of
order and comfort, which they did not expect to find in that
part of the country. A watch hung by the fire-place, and a
neat book-case, well filled with books, attracted the
attention of the elder soldier. He took down a book. It was
written in a language unknown to him; but he soon perceived
that the name of Jesus Christ was to be found on almost every
page. At this moment the master of the house entered by the
door through which his wife and children had just fled.
One of the soldiers, by threatening
signs, demanded provisions. The man stood firm and shook his
head. The soldier who held the book, approached him, and
pointing to the name of Jesus Christ, laid his hand on his
heart and looked up to Heaven. Instantly, the farmer grasped
his hand, shook it warmly, and then ran out of the room. He
soon returned with his wife and children, bringing milk,
fruit, eggs, bacon, etc., which were freely offered. When
money was held out to the farmer, it was refused. The farmer,
by signs and gestures, and by pointing to the name of Jesus
Christ, as much as said that he feared nothing from men who
loved that name, and that they were welcome to his
hospitality. When taking leave, the soldier pointed to the
watch, and seemed to say that it was not safe. The farmer by
signs replied, that although his neighbors had been stripped
of everything, yet his furniture, fruit and grounds had
remained untouched, and he feared no evil, for his trust was
in God. What saith the Scripture?--"The angel of the Lord
encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth
them."
