The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-11-01
Thrilling Sketch.

and economy.
Thrilling Sketch.
Alexander Dumas l. furnishing sensation
items from Russia. Here IS one OF the
best.
". FRI. t'- room WIKI q turnkey behind
Us ani walked 0u I'LL we found ourselves
opposite the prison The Iailor opened e.,
went In. and lighted a lantern. We went
down Ten steps, passed q TOW oi dungeons
then ro~n Ten more but did not stop. We
went down five more and then stopped N
one marked No. IL. He gave 4 silent sig
nal: II seemed IN this abode OF the dead a.
il he had io~t the power OF speech. There
was az this time 4 frost OF al least twenty
degrees outside. At the depth where we
found ourself IL was mingled with damp
which penetrated 10 tie bone: nv marrow
was frozen, and Yet 1 wiped tue prespira-
tom from my brow. Tie door opened. We
went down six damp and slippery steps
and found ourselves in dungeon or six feet
square. fnciei by the light OF the Ian
tern That | saw human form moving in d.;
Rise and dress yourself
had a. curiosity to know Il whom this
order was al lressed.
Turn ON the LIGHT said 10 the TAILOR
with me-
then saw a thin aud paiiid old man rise
mp. lie had evidently been immurel ID
tins Dungeon in the same clothes be had on
when arrested bur they had fallen Oh hy
piece meal. and he was only dressed in a
ragged peisse. Through the rags his ma
ked. 0ouy, suiyering body could be seen.
Perhaps this body had been covered with
splendid garments: perhaps the ribbons oi
the most noble orders had once crossed his
painting breast At present he was only i
living skeleton. that had lost rank. dignity.
even name, and wds called No. IL. lie
rose. and wrapped himself IN the fragments
OF his ragged pelisse. without uttering q
complaint; his body was bowed down con
querod ny prison damp, time, IL might De
hunger His eve was naughty, almost
meuaciug.
..lt IS good. said the Governor Come
lie was the first TO go out.
Ihe prisoner threw parting glance al
his cell. his stone bench, his water jug, and
straw. He uttered q sigh Yet il was i'm
possible that he could regret ANYTHING O.
this He followed the Governor and passed
before me.
I shall never forget the glance he turned
upon me In passing, and the reproach tha
was concentrated IN it,
SO young, it seemed to say. " and al
ready obeying tyranny"
l turned away; that glance had pierceC
my heart like dagger He passed the
door of the dungeon. How long was i
since he entered lt2 Perhaps he did no
know himself He must have ceased for
long time counting days and nights. On
reaching the Governors door we foun,
two sledges waiting. The prisoner was or
dered into the one that brought Us. and WI
followed him, the Governor at bis side, il
front. The other sledge was occupied b,
p four soldiers.
Where were we going. I knew not
What were we going TO do / was equal
ignorant. had only TO see-the actio
I itself did not concern me.
We started.
- Through my position the old mans knee
were between mine. ! felt them tremhe
The Governor was wrapped in his furs.
I was bnttOned up in my military irOck, an
s yet the cold reached Us. The prisoner Wa
e almost naked bat the Governor had odere
him no coverings. For a moment thOugl
of taking OIL M coat and Offering 1t 10 bin
The Governor guessed my intention.
p Soon we reached the \eva again, and on
s siedge took the direction Of CrOnstad
= The wind came of the Baltic and blew II
o ri0uslv; the sieet cut our faces. ThOug
ID our ewes had become accustomed 10 III
+ darkness vet We could not see ten yards b'
fore rs.
u st last We stopped in the midst OF for
s ous storm. We must have been about
q league and a half IRON ST. Petersburg. III
: Governor got Oh the sledge and went up
Il the other Tie soldiers had already got OF
% Cut hole in the ice" the Govern'
said 10 them.
d l could not refrain i cry OF terror. l b
e gan TO apprehend.
B "Ah," the Old man uttered, with an a
II cent resembling the laugh Of q skeleto
o then the Empress does still remember m
q does she
ID OF what Empress was he talking Thr
Y bad passed away in uccessiOn-Ann
Elizabeth and Catharine. II was cvide
is he still believed he was living under SOL
lt OF them. he did not know even the man vi
J. ordered his death.
Is What was the cbscgriiy Of the night, COZ
D. pared with that Of the tomb?
The four soldiers then set 10 work. TIL
? broke the ice with their hammers cut
q with their axes. and raised the blocks wi
$ the lever. All at once they started bac
the Ice was broken; the water was raisiu
r. Come down." the Governor said TO {
le old man. The order was useless, for
had already done so. Kneeling on the
- he was praying fervently.
The Governor gave an order in low 10
10 the soldiers. then he came back 10
side: for had not le;t the sledge. Il
K. minute the prisoner rose.
pt Tue four soldiers rushed upon him.
~ turned my ewes away. but though 4
rs Dot see heard the noise Of body hur
of into the abyss. In spite OF myself, III
ed around. The old man had disappear
De l forgot that had no right 10 give orde
but shouted TO the driver. Away, away
IT stop =" cried the Governor. The sleC
which had already moved forward, stOpI
again.
All is not flushed. the Cover
said to me 10 French.
What have We TO DO :" I asked
Of wait - be replied.
VI We waited half az hour.
ed The ice has set, said one Of the
ell diers.
Art thou sure-"
lot He struck the spot where the hole hac
Of lately yawned; the water had become s.
" again.
We can 20, >" said the Governor
IT TIE horses started at full gallOp, and
:" less than ten minutes we reached the fortr
Gu - Il IS q most serious considerai
IT, -ha- tho cacafad Srarp= will corno IA