Latin School of Chicago - Sigillum Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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l had planned to go to Kiev for some new french hats and a ballgown, but the saualor, the dumb acceptance of those poor people have lcilled all such thoughts of self. For too many years these things have existed, it is for us, the new generation of educated landowners, to share our wealth that the oppressed may have better opportunity for learning and free thinldng. l realize that mine is an ancient and illustrious name, and perhaps my family does not approve. l do not blame them, They thinl4 l am turning Socialist. That is not true. All l desire is to see justice done. Unfortunately, there are no organizations save the Socialistic that feel this strongly. l am torn between ancestry and the cry of Russian soil, the blind groping of the hands that tilled it. Yet l feel a strange peace, as though there were before me a great and noble purpose. Could l but fulfill it, my happiness would be manifold? Do not cease to be my friend. l shall involve no one but myself. fondly, ANUTA Anna Slenslcaya Q6 Brabova Ave. Kiev june 7, 'l9'l6 My dearest Greataunt, l have at last joined a group of young aristocrats who sympathize with the cause. Believe me, it was in desperation and bewilderment that l resorted to this. l could not go on dreaming and planning-my idleness made me very unhappy. Mother and Father are quite sad, but have forgiven me, saying that the times change and people must change with them. l have assumed a name other than my own and am now staying with one of my new colleagues in Kiev, the young sister of my maid Tatiana, who has, by the way, become engaged to Vassily. Strange that this should occur to me nowl lam glad for them both. 'l-hey will be happy. l have burned my bridges behind me and am unafraid, save for the apprehension that you will no longer be my friend-and that l could not bear.-l would rather die than hurt those near to me, believe it, It would be best to destroy whatever former correspondence you have received from me that contains any hint of what l am doing now, and if you possibly can, let me lcnow of any events in or about the village near you-especially if government spies are becoming inquisitive. Now, good-by, l do not lcnow whether l shall be able to write you for a long time, so be patient and remember lcindly Your affectionate UKousoffy Borosna Chirnegev vluly 'lO, 1916 ANUTA Dearest Anuta, lam your friend. Your letters to me have been burned-those containing allusions toyour worlc. l shall not expect more letters from you until you feel it safe to write. But do talce care, Your pseudonym and address are safe with me. At your request, l shall inform you from time to time as much as l know of the Czarys plans. l'le does not lilce the peasants nor those who help them. Lovingly, your great aunt MYRA 75

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Ch, l do have a surprise for youl Do you remember how our former watchmen used to fall asleep on duty at night? That will not happen any more, for father has imported a chief watchman from Siberia-and such a watchmanl l-lis name is Vassily, and he is at least seven feet tall, with a broad, red face, heavy blond moustaches, and shaggy yellow hair, which he keeps very neat under a tall fur cap. l discovered that when he was young, his master had flogged him for no apparent reason, and Vassily, blind with rage, had strangled him to death, The government sent him to Siberia for thirty yearsi The stories he tells of his experiences there are hair-raising l have listened to his recitals in the kitchen. The poor creature is flattered by the interest of the 'iyoung barishnan. Mother cannot understand why father would elect a murderer chief watchman of the estate, but he explains to her that Vassily is on his honor. He is devoted to us, as we were the only family willing to employ him, and it is really quite reassuring to wake in the night and hear his hourly Urattle- rattleu with the little black clapper he carries with him. When the other watchmen hear him, they must answer to show they are awake. Vassily's only fault is his terrible temper, which is at its height when he has drunk too much vodka. Everyone in the village is terribly afraid of him, none will dare look into his face, as he is sensitive about his sojourn in Siberia. But, my precious aunt, when l bade him good- morning, today, l looked straight at himi. Now l know his eyes are blue, so l can better describe him to you. ' Please write me very soon and tell me all about yourself and what has been happening at Kousoffky during my absence. l.ovingly yours, ANUTA Estate of Kousoffky County of Borosna State of Chirnegev April Q'lst, 'l9'l6. My Dearest Anuta, l am so happy that you are with us again. As soon as possible, l shall see you, my favorite grandniece. And you may commend your father in his choice of watch- men, l am sure Vassily is very efficient. You looked him straight in the eye, did you? Ah, my precocious child, it would be like you to do that. ln your letter l detected undertones of discontent. Do not allow this, occupy yourself. l hope you do not find the life of a barishna too dull, my dear. When l was your age, my parents, also were very busy. You are gravely mistaken if you believe the life ofa landowner is just a round of parties, balls, and rides on horseback through our delightful country. lf there is no book on the shelves that has not been read over too many times, go for a walk in the lanes and pastures. And you may have Minsk, our little Mongolian horse that you were always so fond of. With these and your music, you can keep busy, lim sure. l'low is that charming lady's maid of yours? l-las she broken any more hearts yet? Send me another of your interesting letters, for they are eagerly anticipated and always joyfully received. Your loving aunt, MYRA 'iMaximovkyH Borosna Chirnegev April 30, 'l9'l6 Dearest Greataunt, l do feel, as you have discovered, discontent. But do not think it is my life that bores me. l should be selfish to think only of myself, l have seen such misery around me among the peasants, that l find it difficult to conceal my feelings of distress and sympathy, It is my wish to serve them, to enlighten them. They are human beings and are undeserving of the outrageous treatment they receive at the hands of the government officials. 74

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August'I'l Kousoffky, County of Borosna, State ofchirnegev. Anuta: I'lasten awayl Soldiers of the Czar are in the village and are keeping close watch on our estate. You are known, you must escape. MYRA I-Iotel Marin Igausanrge, Switzerlgnd eptem eriQ, 'l9'I Dear Greataunt, I hope you have not worried about me. I sent Paul B. to you in the guise of a hungry peasant to say that I am safe. My activities had been successful, and I was unknown, when, somehow, twelve of our members were discovered and executed. In the middle of' the night paul B. pounded on my door and shouted, 'fbscapel We are known. Dressed as a hunchbacked old peasant woman, I drove o cart piled high with hay to Nezhin, where I was to seek the hut of Uncle Peter. I-lis wife would hide me. I rode all night at a snail's pace, and just as white streaks began to appear in the sky, I saw a hut-athen, another' rand gradually the town came into sight as the light increased. My relief was indescribable. But so was my fright, for I encountered a drunken peasant and asked the way to Uncle Peters Fortunately, his wits appear- ed quite befuddled, and after informing me, he dropped onto a doorstep and went to sleep. I later learned from Uncle Peters wife that he was one of us, and had been stationed there to watch for me. I remained with Uncle peter a month and was then smuggled over the border into Switzerland. So ends the tale. I shall leave for America as soon as possible. I am eager for peace. Your loving ANUTA GLORIA MINCI-IIN DEBGRAI-I AERA!-IIVISGN '42 GETTING UP IN THE MORNING from somewhere in the room comes a familiar buzzing sound. Turning over almost silently and cautiously opening one eye, I ask myself if it could possibly be the alarm clock. My conscience at once assures me that it is, and almost as quickly my bad self assures me that my conscience is wrong. preferring to believe my bad self, I turn over, and settle down under the covers for a long sleep. xlust as I begin to fall into that pleasant state, my sense of righteousness bears down upon me. Once more-and I hope for the last time+I turn over, and look blankly at the clock. Again it jangles. I throw back the cover abruptly and sit up in bed. I hesitate for just a moment, looking over what at the time seems a great length of rug. In that moment I begin to freeze, so, getting quickly to my feet, I make a dash for the radiator. Lean- ing against this comfortable place, I reach out my hand and grope for the window. Finding it, I close it with a bang. Since I can close the window and keep warm at the same time, I see no reason, except that itfs a little farther than the window, why I can't turn off the alarm and keep warm too. I stretch out a hand. It doesnft auite reach but after making several attempts I do reach the button and silence the buzzer. Surprisingly, after all this exercise, I am still sleepy, and so, when I pass my bed on the way to the bathroom, I look at it longingly, climb back in, and pull the covers over my head. NANCY KOCI-IS, Class Eight. T6