The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-06-16
ATRIp TO SIBERIA.

FRooERH, an actor ut one OF the minor
theatres ot the Boulevard in Paris, had en-.
tered into an engagement with the manager
of the French theatre ut st. Petersburgh,
where he had the good fortune 50 greatly to
please Paul l., that he soon became dis.
iirguished fayourite of that monarch An
ill.tirned bon mot one day convinced Frogere
how dangerous it was to speak too freely in
The presence Of the eccentric Autocral. IL
was ut The imperial dinner-table. when one
of the guests lauded The present Emperor at
the expense of Peter the Great. THAT Is
robbing Peter to pay Paul" said the Elm
peror, lurnins to his fvourite. g. Is it not
so, Frogere ~" Certainly, sire" answered
the latter. f" To satisfy Paul we may rob
not only Peter the Great, bu! also Peter the
Apostle.n " And pray why so !" asked the
Car, quickly. Because" said tho actor,
Paul in his anger has frequently command.
ed in the words Of our Saviour, Go, and
bear the cross throughout the world, more
especially in Siberia.' Paul showed anger
in his face, and no one dared TO laugh or to
be pleased with the actors reply. A lew
minutes afterwards the Emperor rose and
dismissed the company, 1t was in the mid
die of winter, about midnight, when Frogere
was aroused from his :leep by loud knock.
ing n, his door. He Jumped from his bed,
openel the door. and saw to his amazement,
an officer and file o(soldiers enter the apart
ment. The former produced warrant from
the Emperor, banishing Frogere to Siberia
We may readily imagine the terror of the
Frenchman. He cried, threw himself upon
the floor, tore his hair, and repeatedly cx-
claimed, {" What crime have committed to
deserve such punishment o. He received no
answer. He begged for few hours delay,
to throw himself at the feet of the monarch
and learn the nature ofhis guilt. In vain :
the officer would only allow him time to pack
up few clothes and linen. Scarcely was
the operation finished when he was surround
ed by the soldiers and carried outside the
house, when 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. The doors OF the vehicle were locked
and the officer giving the signal, the coach
rolled away at full speed, surrounded by n
calvary escort How long the first stage
lasted Frogere was unable to tell, the vehicle
was so thickly covered that not the least ray
Of ligh, could penetrate. lie was told on
entering the coach that the soldiers had or
ders to shoot him on the spot the moment
he opened his mouth to. put any questions
to them. He consequently observed stric,
silence. and suffered world Of pain. The
door ol the coach was at las, opened-it was
broad daylight. His eyes were, however,
bandaged, and he was led into miserable
hut, The doors and windows of which were
closed us soon as he entered. When the
bandage was removed, he saw by the faint
glimmer of a rushlight dish Of coarse food
upon board before him. Though he had
been fasting for some time he could hardly
swallow mOrsel; fear, however, Induced
him to eat, for the faces that watched his
motions seem to por'end no good. Siberia
Siberia that was the only thought he was
to live in that terrible land. Frogere gave
himself up to despai, when the previous
oiicer-by the bye, an old acquaintance-en
tered 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
heart he WIS about to embrace him but a
motion with the hand and stern look re.
strained him, while the finger Of the officer
pressed upon his lips imposed silence. He had
tlaltered himself that the courier had brought
an order Tor his release, but he was misia.
ken. The officer dismissed his guide and or
dered the soldiers to leave the room and wait
outside. Being alone with the prisoner. kc
said, almost in a whisper, "Froeere, we mus,
now part. have accompanied you to the
6rst stage, and hence you will be under the
inspection Of another officer. Be careful not
to speak word. risk much even in .c;y !.
ing this caution; but ! am your friend
Have you any orders for me Can I serve
you on my return to St Petersburghl Poor
Frogere melted into Tears.
Instead of replying 10 the questions, he on.
lyIbewailed having 10 undergo punishmen,
for an unknown crime. IAN unknown
crimel said The officer. "Don't you, then.
know what you have done! Are you mad,
Frosere! Have you forgotten the sarcastic
jest you made a, the imperial table! I, has
offended The emperor; you are punished
because there was 30 much truth in it.p-
"Good heavens!n exclaimed The exile -
"Hush! be sileni!n whispered The other;
iwalls have ears. Bui, not 10 waste time,
listen, Frogere. lam the only one whom
you know: henceforh, during your long
journey, you will see faces wholly unknown
/ 10 you. The Emperor, you are aware, is
I immoyeable in his resolves, and ;nsxorable
in his wrath. You had better, therefore,