The Trinity times., 1854-12-30
-Au iii.iirncL bonslnot.


cuished favourite of the monarch. An i'll
! timed bon mot one day convinced Frogere
how dangerous it was TO speak too freely to
the eccentric autocrat. 1t was at the imperi
al dinner table, when one of the guests laad-
ed the present Emperor at the expense oi
Peter the Great
"That is robbing Peter to pay Paul. said
the Emperor, turning to his iaVourite; us
it not so, Frogere"
"Certainly, sir" answered the latter "Tc
satisfy Paul we may rob not only Peter the
Great. but also Peter the Apostle"
"And pray why so" asked the Gar,
quickly.
Because" said the actor" Paul in his an
ger has frequently commanded, in the words
of our saviour, 'gc and bear the cross through
out the world. more especially in Siberia"
Paul showed anger in his face, and no one
dared to laugh Or TO be pleased with the ac-
tors reply. A few minutes afterwards the
Emperor rose and dismissed the company.
IL was in the middle of winter, about mid
night, when Frogere was aroused from his
sleep by loud knocking at his door. lie
Jumped from his bed, opened the door, and
saw to his amazement an officer and file oi
soldiers enter the apartment. The former
produced warrant from the Emperor, han
isbinp Frooere to Siberia We may readily
imagne the terror of the Frenchman. lie
cried, threw himself upon the floor, tore his
hair, and repeatedly exclaimed, What crime
hcve committed TO deserve such punish
ment?" He received no answer. He begged
for a few hours delay, tc throw himself at the
feet of the monach and learn the nature ofhi
Guilt. In vain: the officer would allow him
only time to pack up few clothes and some
linen. Scarcely was the operation finished
when he was surrounded by the soldiers and
carried outside the house, where coach
was in waiting lie was then lifted into it
more dead than alive-while two soldiers,
with drawn swords and cooked pistols, took
their seats on each side of him. TIE doors
of the vehicle were locked, and, the officer
giving the signal, the coach rolled away at
full speed, surrounded by II cavalry escort
How long the first stage lasted frogere was
unable TO tell, the vehicle was so thickly COW
cred that not the least ray of light could pen
citrate. lie was told on entering the coach
that the soldiers had orders to shoot him on
the spot the moment he opened his mouth to
| to put any questions TO them. lie coiise-
quently observed strict silence, and suffered
a world of pain. The door Of the coach was
at last Opened--it was broad daylight. Ills
eyes, however, were bandaged, and he was
led into miserable hut, the doors and VIM
dows of which were closed as soon as lie en-
tered. When the bandage was removed, he
saw, by the faint clhnner of reshhghl,- -
dish OF coarse food upon board before him.
Though he had been fasting for some time he
could hardly swallow a morsel; fear, however
induced him to eat. for the faces that watch
ed his motions seemed to portend no good.
| Gtkotin Cikapto that the nulV tlOuOl
he was to live in that terrible land. Frogcre
gave himself up to dspair. when the previous
oficer-by-the bye. an old acquaintance
entered the room, attended by courier. The
poor prisoner felt as if he had not seen that
friendly face for years. In the JOY OF his
heat he was about to embrace him; but
motion with the hand and stern look restrain
ed him, while the finger of the officer press
ed upon his lips imposed silence. lie had
fattered himself that the courier had brought
an order for his release; hut he was msta-
ken.
The officer dismissed his guide, and ordered
the soldiers to leave the room and wait out
side. Being alone with the prisoner, he
said, almost in a hisper, "Frogere, we must
now part have accompanied you to the
first stage. and you will hence be under IN
spection of another officer. BE careful not
to speak word risl; much eyan in giving
this caution; but | am your friend. Have
YOU anv orders for mel Can ! serve you on
my return to St. Petersbugh!" Poor Frogere
melted into tears. Instead Of replying TO the
question, he only bewailed having to under
20 a punishment for au unsno~a crime
" An unknown crime 2" said the officers
'Don't YOU, then, know what you have done?
Are YOU mad, Frogerel Have you forgotten
the sarcastic Jest you made at the imperial
table! 1t has offended the Emperor; you are
punished because there was 50 much truth
. in it,"
Good heavens" exclaimed the exile
'IIush be silent?' whispered the other
walls have ears. But. not to waste time,
listen, Froeere. am t,e only one whom;
YOU know hencelorth, during your long
Journey, you will find faces wholly unknown
to you. The Emperor, you are aware, is
immovabIe in his resolves. and inex orable III
his wrath. You had better, therefore, be
resigned to your fate; you have nothing to
hope. "Toll me, then, quickly, what can
do for YOU
, ."Speak for me to his Majesty"
"Not word Of that" said his friend;
task anything but that"
IF that be the case" said poor Frogere,
: IL have nothing TO ask"
"And your money and trinkets rejoIned
t the officer, "you have left them all behind.
D Can lodge them safely for you somewhere,
5 until you returnl'
"Myreturnl" gasped Frogere; then am
E not exiled for ile!'
"Of course not-oniy for three years
e Take courage; they will sotn pass away
+ and then----n
Three years for an innocent word?''
5 whined Frogere, and began TO cry aud cons
I plain. But at this moment the soldiers en-
tered, and, bandaping his eyes, they lifted
him into the vehicle, aud away it rolled
again.
1t seemed a very long stagc-for Frogerc
calculated that he had travel cd "A whole day
when the vehicle again stopped. As before,
he Was baHdaged and led into a wretched
p hut counterpart Of The first, and lighted
8 ~ piece u blazing pinewood. The same
coarse food Was agaia pi aced before him.
. lie looked 1T the laees around l.m. NJnc
that lac lnot.,-tt..-q firf t.-.t.Dl i'rn q. ga