Again we face a classic Russian - Leskov, "Man on the clock" (summary follows below).The piece was written and published in 1887, but his name sounded differently - "save the lost."Subsequently, the author changed the title to show the reader that the story told - it is not just entertaining, somewhere even the curious case of the everyday, of which over time can be forgotten, and the profound question that has the duty of man, and for whom or which ityou need to perform, and can, and do not need ...
Summary: "The man on the clock" Leskov NS
It was 1839 minutes.The winter that year was warm.The snow gradually melted during the day could hear drops and ice on the Neva River has become very thin.
guard in the Winter Palace, where he lived the Emperor Nicholas I, took a company of "Izmaylovo" under the command of Miller.It's time was a quiet, serene, so it was easy to bear patrol.The only thing that needed to be carried out strictly, - that's for sure be in office.
There was a quiet peaceful night.The palace fell asleep.The guards placed.But suddenly the silence was broken by the distant cry of a drowning man in the river.What to do?Simple soldiers Postnikov did not dare to leave his post.It was a terrible violation of the Charter, and threatened severe punishment up to the shooting.But the cries did not stop and the drive time into a stupor.He was a sensitive man, and could not shake hands with the help of the suffering, but at the same time spoke of reason to the contrary - he is a soldier, and his duty is to obey the orders of the full.But the groans from the river sag closer and closer, already heard the desperate floundering die.Postnikov turned once more - not a soul around, could not restrain himself and left his post.
Summary of "Man on the clock" does not end there. salvation and savior were completely wet.It can be very useful on the promenade passing officer.Hardly explain what happened, Plotnikov passed understands nothing of the victim in the hands of master, took his gun and quickly went back to the booth.
officer, having seen that man's salvation with fear does not remember anything, and does not understand, he decided to take him to the police officer and say that it is he rescued a drowning risk to life.The police report was drawn up, but with their usual suspicion surprised himself a gentleman officer came out of the water dry?
debt or honor?
Continuing summary "Man on the clock", back to the main character: a wet, shivering Postnikov was replaced from his post, and taken to the commander of Miller.There he confessed everything, and in the end said that the officer took the rescued man of the Admiralty.Nikolai Miller knew that above him hung a terrible problem: the officer will tell the details of the night of the incident to the bailiff, and the bailiff immediately report the incident chief of police Kokoshkin, and that, in turn, will bring to the attention of the emperor, and will be "fever", andfly "heads" of those who committed a violation of the Charter.
a long time there was no time to talk, and he sent an alarming note Svinyin lieutenant colonel battalion commander ... was in despair.The only thing that he could do in this situation - is to immediately put in solitary confinement Postnikov, and go to pay homage to General Kokoshkin.
But the chief of police knew nothing.The inspector general decided not to bother.The incident was commonplace, and besides it was unfortunate that drowning is not pulled out of the part of the police and palace officer.
Kokoshkin was flattered that Svin'in came to him for advice, and decided to help him.He took advantage of boasting officer fixers, handed him the medal, and the case was closed.But what to do with the Postnikov?We decided not to punish him with the rod, one hundred "to protect themselves just in case later."
When the sentence was carried out, Svin'in visited soldiers in the hospital, and ordered him to bring a little bit of sugar and tea.Compassionate hour was glad because sitting under arrest for three days, he was expecting a lot worse ...
Summary of "Man on the clock": Finally
At the end of the story the author talks about the justice of God and the earthly.The soul of a simple soldier Postnikov humility.Before him was a difficult choice, which of the confusing "hierarchy" of debts should be done first: duty of a soldier or a man's duty?He chose the latter, and doing good for the sake of good, without expectation of any reward.But Leskov regrets that earthly justice is on the other side of God's watching, and that he did not have enough faith to accept in this case, the joy of God "behavior he created meek souls Postnikov ...".Summary of "Man on the clock" (NS Leskov), of course, can not convey the subtlety and depth of the story, so it is strongly recommended to read the original.
