1872
Bill Lin translated.
In Uladi Mill, Vladimir, there lived a young businessman named Ivan Dmitric aksil. He has two shops and a house in the city.
Ekshonov is a handsome guy with blond curly hair. He is very interesting and likes singing very much. He often drinks when he is very young, and when he drinks too much, he is very dissolute; But I stopped drinking after I got married, except occasionally.
One summer, Ekshonov was going to a trade show in Nishani. When he said goodbye to his family, his wife told him, "Ivan Dimitri, don't go on the road today;" I had a nightmare about you. 」
Ekshonov smiled and said, "Are you afraid that I will go to a trade show or a carnival? 」
His wife replied, "I don't know what I'm afraid of;" All I know is that I had a nightmare. I dreamed that you came back from that city. I saw your white hair when you took off your hat. 」
Ekshonov smiled. "This is a good sign," he said. "See if I can sell all my goods and buy you some gifts from the trade show. 」
So he said goodbye to his family and drove away.
When he was halfway there, he met a familiar businessman, and they stayed in the same inn that night. They have tea together and then sleep in the adjacent room.
It is not Akxiunov's habit to go to bed late and go on the road when it is still cold. He woke up the coachman before dawn and told him to get the horse ready.
Then he went to the innkeeper (who lives in a small house in the back), paid the bill and continued his journey.
When he walked about 25 miles, he stopped and waited to feed the horse. Akxiunov rested in the lobby of the inn for a while, then went to the balcony, asked for a cup of hot tea and took out his guitar to play.
Suddenly a ringing three-headed carriage came running, and an official got off the bus, followed by two soldiers. He went to Ekshonov and began to ask him who he was and where he wanted to go. Ekshonov replied cautiously, "Why don't you have a cup of tea with me? But the official continued to cross-examine him and asked him, "Where did you spend the night last night? Are you alone? Or with business partners? Did you meet any other businessmen this morning? Why did you leave the inn before dawn? 」
Aksenov didn't understand why he was asked these questions, but he described all the stories and then added, "Why do you think I am a thief or a robber?" I am on a business trip to do my own thing. You don't need to ask me these questions. 」
Then the official called the soldiers and said, "I am a policeman in this area, because the businessman you were with last night was found with his throat cut." We need to search your things. 」
They entered the house. Soldiers and police opened Aksenov's luggage and searched it. Suddenly the police officer drew a knife from his bag and shouted, "Whose knife is this?" 」
Ekshonov looked at it and saw a bloody knife taken out of his bag. He's scared.
"How did the blood on this knife come from? 」
Aksenov tried to answer, but he couldn't say a word. He just stammered, "I ... don't know ... it's not mine." Then the police officer said, "This morning, when the businessman was found, his throat was cut and he died in bed. You are the only one who can do it. The house was locked from the inside, and there was no one else. This bloody knife in your bag, your expression and attitude have exposed you! Tell me, how did you kill him and how much money did you steal? 」
Ekshonov swore that he didn't do it; He hasn't seen the businessman since they finished drinking tea together; He has no money except his own 8,000 rubles, and the knife is not his. But his voice was hoarse, pale and trembling with fear, as if he were guilty.
The police officer ordered the soldiers to tie Axunov up and put it in the car. When they tied his feet and threw him into the car, Ekshonov made a cross and cried. All his property was confiscated, and he was sent to the nearest town and put in prison. The investigation report on his character was made in Vladimir. Businessmen and other residents in that city said that in the early days, he often drank and did nothing, but he was a good man. Then, the trial came: he was accused of murdering a businessman from Laishan and taking away 20,000 rubles.
His wife is desperate and doesn't know what to believe. Her children are very young; One is still nursing. With the children, she went to the town where her husband was held. At first she was not allowed to see him; But after many begging, she got permission from the official and was taken to him. When she saw her husband in prison clothes and handcuffs, locked up with thieves and criminals, she fainted and woke up after a long time. Then she took the children to her side and sat beside him. She told him about his family and asked him what had happened. He told her everything and she asked, "What shall we do? 」
"We must petition the tsar, don't let an innocent person be destroyed. 」
His wife told him that she had submitted a petition to the czar, but it was not accepted.
Ekshonov didn't answer, just looked depressed.
Then his wife said, "Do you remember? It's no accident that I dreamed that your hair turned white. You shouldn't have gone out that day She ran her fingers through his hair and said, "Dear Ivan, tell your wife the truth; Didn't you do it? 」
"So even you doubt me!" Akxiunov said, covering his face with his hand and crying. Then a soldier came and said that his wife and children must leave; Aksenov said goodbye to his family for the last time.
When they left, Ekshonov recalled what he had said in the past. When he remembered that his wife had doubts about him, he told himself, "It seems that only God can know the truth; We can only appeal to him and hope to get his pity. 」
Ekxiunov no longer writes petitions; I gave up all hope and prayed to God.
After being sentenced to flogging, Ekshonov was sent to the mining area for hard labor. So he was whipped with a knotted whip, and when his whip wound healed, he was sent to Siberia with other prisoners.
Aksenov lived as a prisoner in Siberia for 26 years. His hair turned white and his beard became gray and sparse. All his happiness disappeared; He bent down; Walk slowly, don't talk much, never laugh, just pray often.
In prison, Ekshonov learned how to make boots and made a little money. With the money, he bought a biography of saints. When there is enough light in the cell, he reads this book; In the prison church on Sunday, he reads Sunday school and sings in the choir; Because his voice is still very nice.
The prison administration likes Aksenov's obedience, and his cellmates respect him: they call him "Grandpa" and "Saint". "When they want to petition the prison administration, they always recommend Akshunov as their spokesperson. When there is a quarrel between prisoners, they come to him to settle the dispute.
Aksenov can't get news from his family. He doesn't even know if his wife and children are still alive.
One day, a new batch of prisoners came to the prison. In the evening, the old prisoners gathered around the newcomers and asked them which town or country they came from and why they were sentenced. Among them, Aksenov sat near the couple and listened to what they were saying in a depressed atmosphere.
A tall and strong new prisoner, about 60 years old and with a carefully trimmed gray beard, is telling others the reason for his arrest.
"Well, my friend," he said. "I just took a horse tied to a sleigh and was caught. I was also called a thief. I said I just want to go home quickly and put it down when I get home; That coachman is my friend. So I said, "Nothing. "No," they said, "you stole that horse. But they can't say how or where I stole it. I did a terrible thing. To tell the truth, I should have come here a long time ago, but they didn't find me at that time. Now I didn't do anything, but I was sent ... Hey, what I just said is not true, I lied to you; I have been to Siberia before, but I didn't stay long. 」
"Where are you from?" Someone asked.
"From Uladi's Mill City, my home is in the city. My name is Mock, and they call me Simonich. 」
Ekshonov looked up and said, "Tell me, Simonich, do you know any Ekshonov businessmen in Uradimir? Are they still there? 」
"Know them? Of course I know them. The Ekshonov family is rich, even though their father is in Siberia: criminals like us seem to be like this! As for you, grandpa, how did you get here? 」
Ekshonov doesn't like to mention his misfortune. He just sighed and said, "I have been in prison for 26 years for my crime." 」
"What crime?" Mock. Xi asked nikki.
But Aksenov only said, "That's it, that's it-I think it's doomed!" He didn't want to say much, but his companion told the newcomer how Akshonov came to Siberia. How someone killed a businessman and then put a knife on Aksenov's things, so Aksenov was unjustly sentenced.
Hearing this, Mok Simonich looked at Ekshonov, patted his knee and shouted, "That's it, that's great! It's wonderful! You have lived to be so old, grandpa! 」
Others asked him why he was so surprised and where he had seen Akxiunov before. But Mock Simonich didn't answer. He just said, "Boys, it's great that we can meet here! 」
These words made Ekshonov suspect that maybe this person knew who killed the businessman; So he said, "Simonic, maybe you've heard of it, maybe you've seen me before? 」
"The world is full of rumors. How does what I heard help? However, it was a long time ago and I forgot what I heard. 」
"Maybe you have heard of who killed that businessman?" Ekxiunov asked.
Mock Simonic replied with a smile: "Someone should have found the knife in his bag, that is, someone did it!" If someone hides a knife there, "it is not a thief who is not caught", as the saying goes. Why would someone put a knife in the bag under your head? That will definitely sober you up. 」
When Ekshonov heard these words, he really thought that this was the murderer who killed the businessman. He stood up and left. Ekshonov was awake all night. He felt very sad, and all kinds of pictures kept floating in his mind. There is a photo of his wife, who was about to leave her for a trade show. He saw her vivid image; Her face and eyes floated before her eyes; He heard her talking and laughing. Then he saw her children, still as young as they were then: one was wearing a small cloak and the other was in his mother's arms. Then he recalled his youth and happiness. He recalled how he sat on the balcony of the inn and played guitar when he was arrested, and how free he was at that time. He saw in his mind the place where he was whipped, the executioner and the bystander; These shackles and handcuffs, criminals, 26 years in prison, he is not old, just like an old man. These thoughts made him feel that he had committed suicide unfortunately.
"These are all little people!" Ekxiunov thought. He was very angry with Mock Simonic, and he longed for revenge, even at the expense of both sides. He prayed all night, but he was never safe. During the day, he didn't go near Mock Simonich or even look at him.
Two weeks passed like this. Ekshonov can't sleep at night, so he doesn't know what to do.
One night, when he was walking in the prison, he noticed some dirty things flowing out from under the bed board of a prisoner. He stopped to have a look. Suddenly, monk Simonic climbed out from under the bed board and looked up at Ekxiunov in panic. Ekshonov pretended to turn a blind eye, but Mok grabbed his hand and told him that he had dug a hole under the wall, put the soil to be discarded in his high boots and fell on the road when the prisoners went to work every day.
"You give me the seal, old man, you can still escape. If you tell, they will whip me to death, but I will kill you first. 」
Aksenov trembled with anger when he looked at his enemy. He withdrew his hand and said, "I don't want to run, and you don't have to kill me." You killed me long ago! Now I'll tell you what I'm going to do, and God will guide me. 」
The next day, when the prisoners were taken out to work, the soldiers who escorted them noticed that one or another prisoner had fallen out of his boots. They searched the cell and found the tunnel. The warden came to ask all the prisoners to find out who dug the hole. They all denied knowing. Those who knew about it didn't want to betray Mock Simonich, because they knew he would be killed. Finally, the warden turned to Ekshonov, knowing that this was an honest man, and said:
"You are a sincere old man; Before God, tell me who dug this hole. 」
Mock Simonic stood there with a cold expression, looked at the warden, and glanced casually at Ekxiunov. Ekshonov's lips and hands trembled and he couldn't say a word for a long time. He thought, "why should I cover for a man who ruined my life?" Let him pay for my pain. But if I did, they might kill him. Maybe I was wrong about him. Besides, what's in it for me? 」
"Well, old man," the warden reiterated, "tell me the truth: who is digging a hole under this wall? 」
Ekshonov glanced at Mock Simonich and said, "My Lord, I can't talk. By god's will, I can't say! You can punish me how you want; I listen to you. 」
No matter how much the warden used, Ekshonov didn't say anything, and the matter was shelved.
That night, when Akxiunov was lying in his bed and was about to fall asleep, someone came quietly and sat in front of his bed. He stared in the dark and recognized Mock.
"What do you want me to do for you?" Aksenov asked, "Why are you here? 」
Mock Simoniki was silent. So Ekshonov sat up and said, "What do you want? Go away or I'll call security! 」
Mok Simonich bent down beside Ekshonov and whispered, "Ivan Dimic, please forgive me! 」
"Why?" Ekxiunov asked.
"I killed the businessman and hid the knife in your things. I was going to kill you, but I heard a noise outside, so I hid the knife in your bag and ran away from the window. 」
Ekshonov was silent and didn't know what to say. Mock Simonich slipped off the bed board and knelt on the ground. He said, "Ivan Dimitri, please forgive me! For God's sake, please forgive me! I'm going to turn myself in I killed that businessman. You will be released and you can go home. 」
"That's easy for you to say," Ekshonov said. "Just because of you, I suffered for 26 years. Where else can I go now? ... my wife died and my children have forgotten me. I have nowhere to go ... "
Mock Simoniki couldn't get up, so he just hit the floor with his head. "Ivan Dimitri Cookie, forgive me!" He cried. "When they beat me with a knot, it is better to look at you now ... but you have pity on me and didn't give up on me. For the sake of Jesus Christ, please forgive me, I am such an unbearable villain! " He began to cry.
When Ekshonov heard his sigh, he also shed tears. "God will forgive you! He said, "Maybe I'm a hundred times worse than you. Having said these words, he was relieved and no longer homesick. He no longer has any desire to leave the prison, but only hopes that his last moment will come soon.
No matter what Akxiunov said, Mok Simonich went to confess. But when his release order was issued, Aksenov was already dead.