ds supplied
without expending either labor or money, there was always the
possibility of his methods being discovered; and this result was sure to
be followed by a long term of imprisonment. This impending danger made
life a burden for Polikey and his family.

Such a setback indeed very nearly happened to Polikey early in his
career. He married while still young, and God gave him much happiness.
His wife, who was a shepherd's daughter, was a strong, intelligent,
hard-working woman. She bore him many children, each of whom was said to
be better than the preceding one.

Polikey still continued to steal, but once was caught with some small
articles belonging to others in his possession. Among them was a pair
of leather reins, the property of another peasant, who beat him severely
and reported him to his mistress.

From that time on Polikey was an object of suspicion, and he was twice
again detected in similar escapades. By this time the people began to
abuse him, and the clerk of the court threatened to recruit him into
the army as a soldier (which is regarded by the peasants as a great
punishment and disgrace). His noble mistress severely reprimanded him;
his wife wept from grief for his downfall, and everything went from bad
to worse.

Polikey, notwithstanding his weakness, was a good-natured sort of man,
but his love of strong drink had so overcome every moral instinct that
at times he was scarcely responsible for his actions. This habit he
vainly endeavored to overcome. It often happened that when he returned
home intoxicated, his wife, losing all patience, roundly cursed him and
cruelly beat him. At times he would cry like a child, and bemoan his
fate, saying: "Unfortunate man that I am, what shall I do? LET MY EYES
BURST INTO PIECES if I do not forever give up the vile habit! I will not
again touch vodki."

In spite of all his promises of reform, but a short period (perhaps a
month) would elapse when Polikey would again mysteriously disappear from
his home and be lost for several days on a spree.

"From what source does he get the money he spends so freely?" the
neighbors inquired of each other, as they sadly shook their heads.

One of his most unfortunate exploits in the matter of stealing was in
connection with a clock which belonged to the estate of his mistress.
The clock stood in the private office of the noblewoman, and was so old
as to have outlived its usefulness, and was simply kept as an heirloom.