Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XV. Later Sects
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left it. You gentlemen, who are better than we, why do not
you openly leave institutions and ceremonies, in which you do
not believe? No, it is easier to keep silent. It is no use for
you to come to us with your learning and wisdom. If you
do not come with a warm faith we will not believe in your
sincerity nor accept you.”
USTIM DOLGOLENKO.
Ustim Dolgolenko is a tall, broad-shouldered peasant, with
expressive brown eyes, thick nose, spotted red, and such long
moustaches as one hardly meets outside of fairy tales. He
talks slightly through his nose. Ustim is the village poet,
comedian, satirist, and singer. He can sing you verses about
“The Pope and His Wife,” “The Archbishop and the Nun,”
&c. He is the boldest and coarsest in the village, a gallant
with women, a drinker, in short, a thorough prodigal—the
most noted and strongest fighter, the most skilful mower, the
best workman. He is of pliable disposition, soft-hearted,
frank and honest, humorous, and razor-tongued. Ustim
needs none to put him up to playing a trick on pope, kulack, or
village elder, or to set going an anecdote, jest, or nickname
that shall immortalise them in the village and neighbourhood.
If he has money, he asks everyone to drink; if he has bread he
gives to every one who is hungry. He will give his last rag
to the first beggar that comes, and never refuses to help any
one. Spite of his sharp tongue all the villagers love him. At
festivals and other gatherings stories are told of his escapades,
his sallies, his jokes, and his ditties are sung. The
saloonkeeper makes money out of him. Ustim has already
squandered his cow, his horse, his izba in drink. All he has left is
the crop in his field. The land itself he has rented out for two
years to come, and now must work as day labourer.
Such was Ustim Dolgolenko. His two years of service were
spent with the German Colonists, who found him an excellent
workman, and his wife (whom he often beat) a clever and
industrious woman, and gave them good pay. Ustim worked
hard, was sober and abstemious, and returned with a good sum
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