The Boguchárovo peasants refuse to help with Mary’s move to Moscow.
Summary:
The peasants at Boguchárovo were formerly owned by absentee landlords. Called “steppe peasants”, they were different from the other serfs in speech, dress, and disposition. Although they worked hard, they could be quite difficult to deal with. Prince Andrew’s reform efforts only made them harder to manage. They were habitually distrustful of the owners, spread false rumors, and they were sometimes insubordinate. In 1812, these undercurrents were nearing an eruption. The Boguchárovo serfs seemed to be eagerly anticipating the arrival the French. When asked to help to move the princess’ belongings from Boguchárovo, they refused. About this refusal to cooperate, Alpátych went to confront the leader of the Boguchárovo serfs, who was named Dron. Alpátych, a seasoned manager, did his best to pressure Dron into compliance. Dron, caught between the peasants and the masters, did nothing. In the end, Alpátych has to find other conveyances for the household and summon the police to deal with this rebellious group of peasants.
quote from the chapter:
Well, then, listen! I’ll go to the police officer, and you tell them so, and that they must stop this and the carts must be got ready.
I understand.
Alpátych did not insist further. He had managed people for a long time and knew that the chief way to make them obey is to show no suspicion that they can possibly disobey. Having wrung a submissive I understand from Dron, Alpátych contented himself with that, though he not only doubted but felt almost certain that without the help of troops the carts would not be forthcoming.
And so it was, for when evening came no carts had been provided. In the village, outside the drink shop, another meeting was being held, which decided that the horses should be driven out into the woods and the carts should not be provided. Without saying anything of this to the princess, Alpátych had his own belongings taken out of the carts which had arrived from Bald Hills and had those horses got ready for the princess’ carriages. Meanwhile he went himself to the police authorities.
Book 10, Chapter 9
The Boguchárovo peasants refuse to help with Mary’s move to Moscow.
Summary:
The peasants at Boguchárovo were formerly owned by absentee landlords. Called “steppe peasants”, they were different from the other serfs in speech, dress, and disposition. Although they worked hard, they could be quite difficult to deal with. Prince Andrew’s reform efforts only made them harder to manage. They were habitually distrustful of the owners, spread false rumors, and they were sometimes insubordinate. In 1812, these undercurrents were nearing an eruption. The Boguchárovo serfs seemed to be eagerly anticipating the arrival the French. When asked to help to move the princess’ belongings from Boguchárovo, they refused. About this refusal to cooperate, Alpátych went to confront the leader of the Boguchárovo serfs, who was named Dron. Alpátych, a seasoned manager, did his best to pressure Dron into compliance. Dron, caught between the peasants and the masters, did nothing. In the end, Alpátych has to find other conveyances for the household and summon the police to deal with this rebellious group of peasants.
quote from the chapter:
Well, then, listen! I’ll go to the police officer, and you tell them so, and that they must stop this and the carts must be got ready.
I understand.
Alpátych did not insist further. He had managed people for a long time and knew that the chief way to make them obey is to show no suspicion that they can possibly disobey. Having wrung a submissive I understand from Dron, Alpátych contented himself with that, though he not only doubted but felt almost certain that without the help of troops the carts would not be forthcoming.
And so it was, for when evening came no carts had been provided. In the village, outside the drink shop, another meeting was being held, which decided that the horses should be driven out into the woods and the carts should not be provided. Without saying anything of this to the princess, Alpátych had his own belongings taken out of the carts which had arrived from Bald Hills and had those horses got ready for the princess’ carriages. Meanwhile he went himself to the police authorities.
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