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Their functions in the townships or villages are of a different kind; in small villages there may be only one of these functionaries, the Soltys. He is the representative of the Government, collects rates and taxes and requisitions horses for the army. The Wojt is head of the village, and magistrate. 'What an odd way of riding? who can it be? not the squire, nor his coachman.

Let the squire take it into his head not to employ me, or not to sell me fodder, what then? I should have to drive the cattle to market and die of hunger. 'I am not as well off as Gryb or Lukasiak or Sarnecki. They live like gentlemen. One drives to church with his wife, the other wears a cap like a burgher, and the third would like to turn out the Wojt and wear the chain himself.

'Certainly it was wrong of Slimak to send the poor wretch away in such weather, said the Wojt. 'It was a shame, murmured the women. 'It's only natural he should be angry when his horses had been stolen, said one of the men. 'Driving him away did not bring the horses back, and he will have the two poor souls on his conscience till he dies, cried an old woman.

He walked by the side of the sledge and Grochowski and a man who was to make closer acquaintance with the police-court, for spoiling his neighbour's bucket, went with him. It so happened that, just as the Wojt was dispatching the bodies to the police-court, the police officer was sending 'Silly Zoska' back to her native village.

'They may find that there is a limit to it, said Grochowski. The policeman now proceeded to examine the corpses, and the Wojt was standing by with a wry face, as if he had bitten on a peppercorn. 'We must drive them to the district police-court, he said; 'Stojka, turning to the owner of the sledge, 'drive on, we will overtake you presently.

The squire, the priest, the Wojt, his wife were all sent from God. He used to say: 'A peasant is in the world to carry out orders. The sun was sinking behind the hill crest when he drove his horses on to the highroad, and he was pondering on how he would begin his bargaining with Grochowski when he heard a guttural voice behind him, 'Heh! heh!

He went for his last drive with the child on his knees, his head resting against the rail, and his face turned upwards, as though he had done with human reckoning and was recounting his wrongs to his Creator. When the mournful procession stopped, a small crowd of peasants, women, and Jews gathered in front of the Wojt's office. The Wojt, his clerk, and Grochowski were standing together.

The Wojt is a pig...you are more to me than the Wojt or even the Government Inspector, for you are cleverer than they are...devil take me! They fell on each other's shoulders and Grochowski wept. 'Josef, brother,...don't call me Soltys but brother...for we are brothers! 'Wojciek...Soltys...say how much you want for the cow.