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144
On the Volga.
it very hard for me, hut thanks to my strong desire to read, 1
got over that difficulty. In summer, when I had to take my
share of field work, I forgot almost all I had learnt, but in
autumn I began to teach myself again, and by spring could
read moderately well. No more could be expected of me, as
my opportunities were so limited. My education remained at
that point till I was sixteen. Then I had a great desire to read
better, and with much trouble got a church calendar and a
psalm-book, in which I read with diligence. My efforts were
rewarded with progress, and I could at last read so well that I
was often asked by the people to read the prayers over the dead.
(In Russia it is usual to read prayers over the dead for the
first three days after death.)
" Soon I had a great wish to learn to write, but was met with
the difficulty that I had no ink. I made some by boiling
elder-tree bark in water. Then I bought two goose quills at the
market for three copecks. I found in my father’s chest a
small piece of paper, on which something was written, and
copied this out, though scarcely understanding a single letter.
When my father noticed my industry he asked the village
scribe to write out a copy and show me how to write. So I
learnt, but I cannot say that my style was beautiful.
" Then I began to take special pleasure in the church music,
and in service went into the choir. I was not driven away, so
began to join in the singing. Then I was asked to read psalms
before the service began (a Russian custom; it may be done by
a layman). The villagers began to think much of me, and
the psalmsinger, after I had helped him gratis, would give me
money from the bowl on the altar that is used in the service.
"The priest, too, began to notice me, and at weddings,
funerals, and Eastertide processions I went next to him,
holding the sacred pictures. Soon I became intimate with
the priest. I had thought before that the clergy were more
moral than laymen, but I soon changed my mind as I saw that
they allowed themselves every gratification and indulged in
spirit-drinking outside mealtimes. I, too, got into the same
habit, but my conscience began to reproach me, and I saw
that my spiritual pastor, instead of guiding me in the right
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