Detail as a means of creating a story is an old genius. "Old genius": full immersion in the skill of Leskov

NS Leskov "The Old Genius".

Work with text.

- When the story takes place ? (in the second half of the 19th century)

Chapter 1. - So, for what purpose did the little old woman come to Petersburg? (she had a “blatant case”).

- How do you understand the meaning of the word“Blatant ”? causing bewilderment, indignation, ,

- What was this “blatant deed”? (in her heartfelt kindness and simplicity, she rescued a high-class dandy, borrowing fifteen thousand for him).

Why did the old woman decide to help out of trouble "one high-class dandy"? ("Purely from one participation, helped out of trouble", "in the name of an old affection" for his mother))

- What character traits does the author highlight in it? ("Good old lady"

The poor old woman, along with her crippled daughter and granddaughter, arouses pity in the reader. Only it is not possible to help her. The offender, a high-class dandy, tricked the poor man into a huge sum of money. As a result, both she and her family may lose their only wealth - the house in which they live.

- Divide your notebook into two columns. In the first column, write down the character traits, actions of the old woman, in the second - the dandy.

- What did the old woman decide to do to avoid trouble?

Chapter 2.

- Why were the old lady's troubles unsuccessful?

- Why can't the debtor be brought in line? ("He had some kind of powerful kinship or property that could not be restrained, like any other sinner »)

- What does this mean?

- Do you think this has happened before? What words testify to this fact? (“not you the first, not you and the last ”).

- How does the old woman relate to the debtor, to people in general? (so that both me and everyone else feel good).

- How does she speak of the dandy? (he was wrapped up, but a good man).

Chapter 3 - How do you understand the expression “need to lubricate " - with. 19?

- What came out of the old woman's idea "grease ”?

- What is the meaning of the phrase “There is no impossibility in Russia ”(19 pp.)? (The phrase suggests the originality of the mysterious Russian soul. Indeed, in Russia there is a place for everything - villainy - through which the defenseless and unfortunate will be offended, and at the same time - noble cause, which will fix the situation of the poor fellow)

- We first meet the word "genius", from whose lips this word sounds? (Ivan Ivanovich, “dark personality” p. 20).

- What does he call genius? (thoughts in my forehead).

- Comment on the words of Ivan Ivanovich: “The current ones take many thousands, but we take hundreds ”?

- Why did the old woman believe Ivan Ivanitch? (premonition p. 21).

Chapter 4. - Did the narrator believe that the old woman will be able to get her money back? (doubted)

- Why did he help her with money? (sorry p. 22).

- What had to be done to get the money back? (hand over "some" piece of paper that could save her case)

- What was the narrator waiting with curiosity? (“What other gimmicks they contrive to cheat in St. Petersburg” - p. 22).

- How do you understand the words "trick", "cheat"?

- How are these words stylistically colored?

- What does “passable” mean? “Passage Genius”? From what word is it formed? What does “passage” mean?strange and unexpected case (deprecated).

Chapter 5.

- Who it "Serbian battler ”? (executor of the plan, participant in the wars of Serbia and Turkey).

- What did he look like? (all torn, and in the teeth a pipette made of newsprint, 23 pages).

- How did he get the paper to be delivered to the debtor?

- Do you consider a human genius, “settled such a difficult matter ”?

- Why do you think he decided to help the old woman?

- Does Leskov give any details from his life?

- What does Leskov achieve by calling him Ivan Ivanovich?In the story The Old Genius, Leskov shows how the ingenuity of one man helped a poor, defenseless old woman. And in this work the Russian national character shown in all its glory. After all, the hero-official who was able to come up with a truly ingenious plan is a typical Russian person. In the story, his name seems too ordinary - Ivan Ivanovich, and this is another proof

- What kind of person is this? (An ordinary, just a good and decent person who has pity on the unfortunate old woman, restores justice and returns the lost faith in the obligatory triumph of good, and the inevitability of retribution for evil).

- Really. The poor official who decided to help the old woman is shown in the work very sparingly. Leskov says practically nothing about him. Does not give any details from his life, but, nevertheless, the image seems quite recognizable.

Leskov is not a pity for the “passage genius” of such a high definition, he does not put any irony into it. The genius punished the “villainy”, and for the author it is not the small “scale” of genius that is important, but its high essence is important.

Human talent, no matter how it manifests itself, always brings a bright, life-affirming beginning to life. Because it is associated, according to Leskov, with the spiritual beauty and warmth of the human heart.

- Why “Old Genius”? Does age matter for geniuses?

He knew life well, instinctively understood that such incidents are inevitable in a society constrained by etiquette and dignity, and he knew how to find the right moves to solve problems.

- What kind does Leskov emphasize character traits in Frant? What did he mean by that? (work with the table).

- What do you think, is it only with Leskov's time that the case that the author told the readers can be related? And today you can often see how a minimal deviation from the letter of the law deprives the authorities of the right to adequately respond to certain crimes, and in court they can acquit a deliberate criminal if his lawyer manages to find legal tricks according to which the accused cannot be punished. although no one doubts that he has committed crimes.

This contradiction is clearly seen on the example of the dialogue from the film "The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed", where Zheglov, having no actual evidence that Brick cut the bags in the tram, tosses him a wallet, and Sharapov, having learned about this, is very indignant, urging Zheglov to act strictly according to law. To which Zheglov, a man with relaxed thinking, succinctly replies: “A thief should sit in jail !»

The etched beast

The writer Nikolai Semyonovich Leskov became famous not only because of his writing talent and expressive speech, but also because of his deep understanding of the life of the Russian people. Knowledge of needs and problems ordinary people was reflected in all the writer's works.

Nikolay Semenovich Leskov

For example, in the story "Lady Macbeth Mtsensk district»The author describes the fate of a desperate Russian woman who, for the sake of her love, went to commit murder. In the story "The Man on the Clock", the writer tells about how far from each other moral principles person and the laws prevailing in society. The works of N.S. Leskovs have different problems, however, a number of the issues raised in them remain relevant even now. One such problem is bureaucracy. It is she who takes leading place in the story "The Old Genius".

According to the plot of the work, one old woman found herself in a difficult situation. Out of her kindness, seeking to help a wealthy dandy from a noble family with money, she pledged own house... But the dandy did not return the money, and the old woman had to go to St. Petersburg because of the threat to be on the street with her sick daughter and little granddaughter. But even there, justice did not prevail, since the representatives of the law did not want to punish a noble person. As a result, only the "Old Genius" could solve the problem, although he used a not entirely legal method for this.

The question arises: who is to blame for what happened? Can we blame the old lady for being naive? On the one hand, no. Kindness and compassion are high human qualities, which cannot be judged in any way. But on the other hand, the main reason for the old woman's sympathy for the dandy was the nobility of his origin.

Leskov skillfully ridicules this quality inherent in the Russian people. He understands that it is a big problem, which needs to be resolved, since such cases are far from uncommon. Therefore, both the old woman and the officials who sincerely sympathize with the victim, but do nothing, fearing the dandy, are to blame for this situation. But the dandy himself is also to blame. Little is known about him: he is a man from a good family, rich, lives in his wife's house, goes to a club and rents expensive rooms. But the way he dealt with the landowner is blameworthy. To take the last piece of bread from an unhappy family, while he himself has the means - is despicable. Such a person does not evoke sympathy, but the kind old woman saw something good in him. However, why did he become like this? The answer is simple - society is to blame.

The work says that no one asked him to repay debts, as this person was overly respected and feared. Perhaps at first the dandy was honest, but then, noticing the attitude of others, he forgot about morality and began to live exclusively for himself. Of course, one cannot ignore the character of a person and his personal qualities, but Leskov's work is satirical, therefore, greater importance is attached to factors that affect a person.

The bureaucratic society cannot cope with the tasks set. In it, criminal actions are more just than the law. Leskov writes about this in the finale of his work. Society creates either people with a subordinate mentality who tremble before the law and higher ranks, or those who are confident that their actions will go unpunished.

Thus, the main culprit of what happened is a society based on bureaucracy, since it was this that became one of the reasons for the appearance of such people as a dandy. And Leskov managed to show it brilliantly.

The plot of Nikolai Leskov's story "The Old Genius" is based on a situation typical, unfortunately, both for Russia in the 19th century and for today's Russia. A rich dandy deceived an old woman by not paying her debt, and now her house is being taken away from her. Officials do not protect the old woman, the debtor has too much connections. Although the old woman is right under the law, an “insurmountable obstacle” arises where you just need to find the debtor and hand him the court paper.

The composition of N. Leskov's work "The Old Genius" is based on the stories of her own observer. Artistic techniques there are irony and sarcasm, sometimes the effect of a tragicomedy is created. The author acts as a storyteller in the work, creating his own image of a person who sympathizes with the old woman, gives her some money, but also does not believe that she will achieve the truth.

When the old woman is already completely in despair, a certain Ivan Ivanovich appears, who, for a considerable percentage, undertakes to solve the case in an obviously not very legal way. That he succeeds with success.

The idea of ​​N. Leskov's story "The Old Genius" is defenselessness a weak person before the people in power in a bureaucratic state. Also, the idea of ​​the story is Leskov's idea that if the Law does not protect citizens, the Law is violated. Citizens have to act on their own, and this is where the cunning of the "old genius" type has their share.

Themes of N. Leskov's story "The Old Genius" - the theme of bureaucracy, the theme " little man”, The theme of Christian philanthropy and conscience, as well as the absence of those in those in power.

First of all, the image of an old woman is interesting. This is a believing woman, she wishes no harm to anyone, even to her debtor. She is simple-minded and spontaneous. The old woman does not understand the laws by which rich dandies and officials live: "How can he not be handed a summons if his fortune is much more than he owes us?" She wonders.

The image of the "old genius": this is a "dark personality". One can speak of his genius only with a grain of irony. This is a cunning and experienced person, a former official. He just figured out how to catch fraudsters who cannot be influenced by the Law or conscience.

He "pushed the old woman's offender against the wall" with a public scandal at the train station and with the police, which prevented the debtor from going abroad with his mistress. The image of Ivan Ivanovich in the story is positive, because only this rascal managed to save the old woman and her family from hunger and cold.

The author creates an ironic halo of mystery over Ivan Ivanovich's “mysterious plan of the genius of thought”. And the plan turns out to be simple: by any means to drag the debtor to the police, to put him in an awkward position, so that the police “at the same time” will hand over the summons.

The image of a dandy is served little by little in little things. He is a complete egoist who is not moved by tears or pleas. Money and connections did not leave anything of morality in him, he intends only to have fun and live at the expense of others. A dandy can be influenced only by interfering with his plans in public. Such is his rich mistress, who escaped already at the beginning of the fight at the station.

The image of the narrator was mentioned above. The image of a “Serbian battler”, a hooligan and a drunkard also turns out to be positive in the story. After all, he is the “executor of the plan” to save the old woman. This soldier has his own notions of justice. Driving once again to arrange a fight, he assures the old woman that everything will be "honest and noble."

Also in the story there is a composite image of officials without names. In Leskov very sharply and ironically showed the typical shortcomings of this class. This is the uselessness and unwillingness to use the existing power, or laziness and cowardice to use it, as well as idle talk.

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Analysis of N. Leskov's story "The Old Genius"

The plot of Nikolai Leskov's story "The Old Genius" is based on a situation typical, unfortunately, both for Russia in the 19th century and for today's Russia. A rich dandy deceived an old woman by not paying her debt, and now her house is being taken away from her. Officials do not protect the old woman, the debtor has too much connections. Although the old woman is right under the law, an “insurmountable obstacle” arises where you just need to find the debtor and hand him the court paper.

The composition of N. Leskov's work "The Old Genius" is based on the stories of her own observer. Artistic techniques are irony and sarcasm, sometimes the effect of a tragicomedy is created. The author acts as a storyteller in the work, creating his own image of a person who sympathizes with the old woman, gives her some money, but also does not believe that she will achieve the truth.

When the old woman is already completely in despair, a certain Ivan Ivanovich appears, who, for a considerable percentage, undertakes to solve the case in an obviously not very legal way. That he succeeds with success.

Idea of ​​N. Leskov's story "The Old Genius"

- defenselessness of a weak person in front of those in power in a bureaucratic state. Also, the idea of ​​the story is Leskov's idea that if the Law does not protect citizens, the Law is violated. Citizens have to act on their own, and this is where the cunning of the "old genius" type has their share.

The themes of N. Leskov's story "The Old Genius" are the theme of bureaucracy, the theme of the "little man", the theme of Christian philanthropy and conscience, as well as the lack of such in those in power.

Images of N. Leskov's story "The Old Genius":

First of all, the image of an old woman is interesting. This is a believing woman, she wishes no harm to anyone, even to her debtor. She is simple-minded and spontaneous. The old woman does not understand the laws by which rich dandies and officials live: "How can he not be handed a summons if his fortune is much more than he owes us?" She wonders.

The image of the "old genius": this is a "dark personality". One can speak of his genius only with a grain of irony. This is a cunning and experienced person, a former official. He just figured out how to catch fraudsters who cannot be influenced by the Law or conscience. He "pushed the old woman's offender against the wall" with a public scandal at the train station and with the police, which prevented the debtor from going abroad with his mistress. The image of Ivan Ivanovich in the story is positive, because only this rascal managed to save the old woman and her family from hunger and Cold.

The author creates an ironic halo of mystery over Ivan Ivanovich's “mysterious plan of the genius of thought”. And the plan turns out to be simple: by any means to drag the debtor to the police, to put him in an awkward position, so that the police “at the same time” will hand over the summons.

The image of a dandy is served little by little in little things. He is a complete egoist who is not moved by tears or pleas. Money and connections did not leave anything of morality in him, he intends only to have fun and live at the expense of others. A dandy can be influenced only by interfering with his plans in public. Such is his rich mistress, who escaped already at the beginning of the fight at the station.

The image of the narrator was mentioned above. The image of a “Serbian battler”, a hooligan and a drunkard also turns out to be positive in the story. After all, he is the “executor of the plan” to save the old woman. This soldier has his own notions of justice. Driving once again to arrange a fight, he assures the old woman that everything will be "honest and noble."

Also in the story there is a composite image of officials without names. In Leskov very sharply and ironically showed the typical shortcomings of this class. This is the uselessness and unwillingness to use the existing power, or laziness and cowardice to use it, as well as idle talk.

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"Old genius"

CHAPTER ONE

Several years ago, a little old landowner arrived in St. Petersburg, who, in her words, had a "blatant business." The point was that she, out of her heartfelt kindness and simplicity, purely out of participation, rescued one high-class dandy from trouble - by laying down her house for him, which was all the property of the old woman and her immovable, crippled daughter and granddaughter. The house was mortgaged in fifteen thousand, which the dandy took in full, with the obligation to pay as soon as possible.

The good old woman believed this, and it was not surprising to believe, because the debtor belonged to one of the best names, had a brilliant career in front of him and received good income from estates and a good salary in the service.

The monetary difficulties, from which the old woman rescued him, were the result of some fleeting enthusiasm or carelessness for cards in a noble club, which, of course, was very easy for him to fix - "just to get to St. Petersburg."

The old woman once knew the mother of this gentleman and, in the name of her old affection, helped him; he safely left for Peter, and then, of course, began a rather ordinary similar cases game of cat and mouse.

The deadlines come, the old woman reminds of herself with letters - at first the softest, then a little harder, and finally, she scolds - hints that "this is dishonest", but her debtor was a beast poisoned and still no one of her

I did not answer the letter. Meanwhile, time is running out, the term of the mortgage is approaching - and before the poor woman, who hoped to live out her life in her little house, a terrible prospect of cold and hunger suddenly opens up with her crippled daughter and little granddaughter.

In despair, the old woman entrusted her patient and child to a kind neighbor, and she herself collected some crumbs and flew to Petersburg to "bother".

CHAPTER TWO

At first, her efforts were very successful: her lawyer was sympathetic and merciful, and in court a decision came to her quickly and favorably, but how it came to execution - then a squiggle went, and such that it was impossible to put a mind to her. It’s not that the police or some other bailiffs peacefully allowed the debtor - they say that they themselves have long bored them and that they are all very sorry for the old woman and are happy to help her, but they don’t dare ... He had some kind of powerful relationship or property, that it was impossible to restrain him, like any other sinner.

I don’t know for certain about the strength and significance of these connections, but I think it’s not important. It does not matter what grandmother did not enchant him and put everything at his mercy.

I also don't know how to tell you exactly what had to be done over him, but I know that it was necessary to "hand over to the debtor with a receipt" some kind of paper, and this is something no one - no person of any sort - could do. Whoever the old woman turns to, everyone in the same way advises her:

Ah, madam, and the hunt is for you! Throw better! We are very sorry for you, but what to do when he does not pay anyone ... Take comfort in the fact that you are not the first, not you and the last.

My priests, - the old woman answers, - but what consolation to me in this, that it will not be bad for me alone? I would, my dears, wish it much better for me and everyone else to feel good.

Well, - they answer, - so that everyone is good - you really leave it, - this is the experts invented, and this is impossible.

And she, in her simplicity, pesters:

Why is it impossible? He has a fortune, in any case, more than he owes all of us, and let him give his due, and he still has a lot left.

Eh, madam, whoever has "a lot" never gets too much, and it is never enough for them, but the main thing is that he is not used to paying, and if you become very bothersome, he can make you a nuisance.

What kind of nuisance?

Well, what do you need to ask: it is better to walk quietly along Nevsky Prospekt, otherwise you will suddenly leave.

Well, excuse me, - says the old woman, - I won't believe you: he is worn out, but he is a good man.

Yes, - they answer, - of course, he is a good master, but only a bad one to pay; and if someone does this, he will do all the wrong.

Well, then take action.

Yes, here, - they answer, - and a semicolon: we cannot "use measures" against everyone. Why did they know such.

What's the difference?

And those questioned will only look at her and turn away, or even offer to go to the higher to complain.

CHAPTER THREE

She also went to higher education. There, access is more difficult and there is less conversation, and more abstract.

They say: "But where is he? They inform about him that he is not!"

Have mercy, - the old woman cries, - yes, I see him every day on the street -

he lives in his house.

This is not his house at all. He has no home: this is the home of his wife.

It's all the same: husband and wife are one Satan.

Yes, this is how you judge, but the law judges differently. His wife also presented bills to him and complained to the court, and she does not appear in her ... He, the devil knows, he is tired of all of us - and why did you give him money! When he is in St. Petersburg, he registers himself somewhere in furnished rooms, but does not live there.

And if you think that we are defending him or we feel sorry for him, then you are very mistaken: look for him, catch him - this is your business - then he will be "handed".

More comforting than this, the old woman at any heights did not achieve anything, and, out of provincial suspicion, began to whisper, as if all this is "because a dry spoon is tearing her mouth."

What are you, - he says, - do not assure me, but I see that it is all from the same thing that motivates, that it is necessary to lubricate.

She went to "smear" and came even more upset. She says that "right from a whole thousand beginning," that is, she promised a thousand rubles from the recovered money, but they did not want to listen to her, and when she, prudently adding, prompted to three thousand, then she was even asked to leave.

They don't take three thousand just to hand over a piece of paper! After all, what is this? .. No, it was better before.

Well, too, - I remind her, - you have forgotten how well it went then:

who gave more was right.

This, - replies, - is your absolute truth, but only among the old officials there were desperate docks. Sometimes you would ask him: "Is it possible?" - and he replies: "There is no impossibility in Russia," and suddenly he will invent and make an invention. So now and now one of these has appeared and pesters me, but I don't know: believe it or not? We are with him in the Mariinsky Passage at the saechnik

We are having dinner with Vasily, because now I’m saving money and shaking over every penny - I don’t eat anything hot for a long time, everything is on the bank, and he, probably, is also out of poverty or nourishing ... but convincingly says: “Give me five hundred rubles

I will. ”What do you think about that?

My dear, - I answer her, - I assure you that you touch me very much with your grief, but I also do not know how to manage my own affairs and absolutely can not advise you anything. Would you ask someone about him at least:

who is he and who can vouch for him?

Yes, I asked the sow-breeder, only he doesn't know anything. "So, he says, one must think, either the merchant has quieted down the trade, or who has blown out of some of his nobility."

Well, ask him directly.

She asked - who is he and what is his rank? "This, he says, in our society to tell completely unnecessary and not accepted; call me Ivan

Ivanych, and I wear a rank of fourteen sheepskins - whatever I want, I'll turn it upside down and turn it upside down.

Well, you see - this, it turns out, is a completely dark personality.

Yes, dark ... "Chin of fourteen sheepskins" - I understand that, since I myself was behind the official. That means he's fourteenth grade. And as regards the name and recommendations, he directly declares that "regarding recommendations, he says, I neglect them and I do not have them, but I have genius thoughts in my forehead and know worthy people who are ready to carry out any of my plans for three hundred rubles."

"Why, father, certainly three hundred?"

"And so - we have such a fix, from which we do not want to yield and do not take any more."

"Nothing, sir, I don't understand."

"Yes, and it is not necessary. The current ones take many thousands, but we are hundreds. I have two hundred for thought and for leadership and three hundred for an executive hero, in proportion that he can sit in prison for three months for performance, and the end is crowned with the matter. Who wants to - let him believe in us, because I always take on things that are impossible; and whoever has no faith, there is nothing to do with that, "but as for me," the old woman adds, "then, imagine my temptation: I told him why I believe ...

Decisively, I say, I don’t know why you believe him?

Imagine - I have a premonition, or something, and I see dreams, that's all

it somehow so warmly convinces to trust.

Shouldn't we wait some more?

I'll wait as long as possible.

But it soon became impossible.

CHAPTER FOUR

An old woman comes to me in a state of the most touching and acute sorrow: first, Christmas is coming; secondly, they write from home that the house is currently on sale; and thirdly, she met her debtor on the arm with the lady and chased after them, and even grabbed his sleeve, and cried out to the public for assistance, crying with tears: "My God, he owes me!"

But this only led to the fact that she was distracted from the debtor with his lady, and brought to justice for violating the silence and order in a crowded place.

More terrible than these three circumstances was the fourth, which consisted in the fact that the debtor of the old woman got himself an overseas vacation and, no later than tomorrow, leaves with a luxurious lady of his heart abroad - where he will probably stay for a year or two, and maybe he will not return at all. "because she is very rich."

There could be not the slightest doubt that all this is exactly as the old woman said. She learned to keep a sharp eye on every step of her elusive debtor and knew all his secrets from his bribed servants.

Tomorrow, therefore, the end of this long and painful comedy: tomorrow he will undoubtedly slip away, and for a long time, and maybe forever, because his companion, of course, did not want to advertise herself for a moment or a short moment.

The old woman has already thrown all this in all the details into the discussion of the businessman, who has the rank of fourteen sheepskins, and the one there, sitting at the saechnik in the Mariinsky passage, answered her;

"Yes, the matter is brief, but you can still help: now five hundred rubles for the table, and tomorrow your soul will be open to the open: and if you don't have faith in me, your fifteen thousand are gone."

I, my friend, - the old woman tells me, - have already decided to confide in him ... What to do: all the same, nobody takes it, but he does it and firmly says: "I will give it to you." Please don't look at me like that, test your eyes. I’m not in the least crazy, and I don’t understand anything myself, but I only have some kind of mysterious trust in my foreboding, and I dreamed such dreams that I made up my mind and took him away with me.

Yes, you see, we are at the farrier's house only at one time, we all meet at lunchtime. And then it will be too late - so now I am carrying him with me and will not let him go until tomorrow. In my age, of course, no one can think anything bad about this, but we have to look after him, because I have to give him all five hundred rubles right now, and without any receipt.

And you make up your mind?

Of course I dare. - What else can you do? I have already given him a deposit of one hundred rubles, and now he is waiting for me in the tavern, drinking tea, and I ask you: I have two hundred and fifty rubles more, but not a hundred and fifty. Do me a favor, lend to me, and I will return it to you. Even if the house is sold, there will still be a hundred and fifty rubles left.

I knew her for a woman of wonderful honesty, and her grief was so touching, - I think: if he gives or does not give up, God is with her, from one and a half rubles you won’t get rich and don’t get poorer, but meanwhile, she won’t have torment in her soul that she doesn’t I tried all the means to "hand in" a piece of paper that could save her case.

She took the requested money and sailed to the tavern to her desperate businessman. And I waited with curiosity for her the next morning to find out: what new trick are they contriving to cheat in Petersburg?

Only what I learned surpassed my expectations: the passage genius did not shame either the faith or the presentiments of the good old woman.

CHAPTER FIVE

On the third day of the holiday, she flies in to me in a traveling dress and with a valise, and the first thing she does is puts the 150 rubles borrowed from me on the table, and then shows me a bank transfer receipt for more than fifteen thousand ...

I can't believe my eyes! What does it mean?

Nothing more, how I got all my money with interest.

How? Could it be that Ivan Ivanitch of fourteen had arranged all this?

Yes he. However, there was also another, to whom he gave three hundred rubles from himself - because it was impossible to do without the help of this person.

What kind of figure is this? Tell us everything about how they helped you!

Helped very honestly. As I came to the tavern and gave Ivan Ivanitch the money - he counted, accepted and said: “Now, madam, let's go. a mysterious stranger and I cannot perform legal actions with my face. ”We went to many low places and to the baths - everyone was looking for some“ Serbian battler ”, but for a long time they could not find him.

This battler came out of some hole, in a Serbian military suit, all torn off, and a pip of newsprint in his teeth, and said: "I can do anything that anyone needs, but first of all I need to drink." All three of us were sitting in the tavern and bargaining, and the Serbian battler demanded "one hundred rubles a month, three months." On this we decided. I still didn't understand anything, but I saw that Ivan

Ivanitch gave him the money, so he believes it, and I feel better. And then I

I took Ivan Ivanitch to her so that he would be in my apartment, and the Serbian battler was released in the baths to spend the night so that he would appear in the morning. He came in the morning and said: "I'm ready!" And Ivan Ivanovich whispers to me: "Send him for vodka: you need courage from him. I won't give him a lot to drink, but a little is necessary for courage: his most important performance is coming."

Serbian battler drank and they drove to the station railroad, with the train of which the old woman's debtor and his lady had to leave. The old woman still didn’t understand what they were planning and how they would do it, but the battler reassured her and said that “ace will be honest and noble”.

The audience began to gather for the train, and the debtor appeared here, like a leaf in front of the grass, and a lady with him; the footman takes tickets for them, and he sits with his lady, drinks tea and anxiously looks around at everyone. The old woman hid behind Ivan

Ivanitch and points to the debtor - says: "Here - he is!"

The Serbian warrior saw, said "good", and immediately got up and walked past the dandy once, then a second, and then a third time, stopped directly opposite him and said:

Why are you looking at me like that?

He answers:

I don’t look at you at all, I’m drinking tea.

Ah! - says the warrior, - you are not looking, but are you drinking tea? so I'll make you look at me, and here's a piece of lemon juice, sand and chocolate from me for tea! .. - Yes, with that - clap, clap, clap! three times in the face and hit him.

The lady threw herself aside, the gentleman also wanted to run away and said that he was no longer in a claim; but the police jumped up and intervened: "This, he says, is impossible: this is in a public place," and the Serbian warrior was arrested and the beaten one too. He was terribly agitated - he did not know: either to rush after his lady, or to answer the police. Meanwhile, the protocol is already ready, and the train is leaving ...

The lady left, but he stayed ... and as soon as he announced his rank, first and last name, the policeman said: "So, by the way, I have a piece of paper in my portfolio to hand over." That - there is nothing to do - in front of witnesses accepted the paper submitted to him and, in order to free himself from his obligation not to leave, immediately paid in full and with interest by check his entire debt to the old woman.

So insurmountable difficulties were overcome, truth triumphed, and peace was established in an honest, but poor house, and the holiday also became bright and cheerful.

A person who has found - how to settle such a difficult matter seems to have the right to consider himself a real genius.

Nikolay Leskov - Old genius, read text

See also Nikolay Leskov - Prose (stories, poems, novels ...):

MYSTERIOUS PRESENTATIONS
CHAPTER ONE While talking about the possibility of an imminent war, recently, as a ...

Languor of spirit
(From adolescent memories) Among the people who took part ...